[Nonspecific cell-mediated immunity in gastric cancer patients - with special reference to immuno-reactivity of the regional lymph node and preoperative immunotherapy].

Cell-mediated systemic immunity and immuno-reactivity of the regional lymph node in patients with gastric cancer were investigated. The studies were undertaken on the parameters such as skin test (PHA, PPD, Candida and SK-SD), T-cell subpopulation and lymphocyte blast formation . And concerning the regional lymph node, percentage of T-cell and blast formation were examined. The following results were obtained. There were correlations between the nonspecific parameters (PHA skin test, count of active T-cell and PHA blast formation ) and the staging according to the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer. There were also correlations between the stage and the percentage of T-cell, PHA blast formation with and without autoserum in the immunity of the proximal regional lymph node. Correlations between the PHA blast formation in the proximal lymph node and the nonspecific parameters such as PHA, Candida skin test, count of the active T-cell and PHA blast formation in the peripheral lymphocyte were observed. The immunity of the distant regional lymph node was impaired in the patients of stage IV and III with 4 metastatic lymph nodes or more. Preoperative administration of PSK prevented impairment of cell-mediated immunity after operation. Patients administrated lentinan before operation got rid of depression of immunity in the proximal regional lymph node.