T cell subpopulation in hepatoma.

The determination of T cell subpopulation is a modern development in immunology. The increase or hyperactivity of suppressor T cells plays an important role in the development of immune deficiency diseases and most tumors. Our 15 cases of hepatoma, which have all been confirmed with clinical and pathological evidence, belong to the rapid-growing type. Suppressor (Tr) cell elevation appears in the early stage; and the more severe and late the disease is, the higher the Tr cell increase. Thus, the determination of T cell subpopulations bears a close relationship to the evaluation of early hepatoma and to the prognosis of the disease.