Abstract | BACKGROUND: To obtain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying different modalities of immunotherapy, we investigated the types of tumor-infiltrating cells present at the tumor site, with special attention to the presence of macrophages. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: RESULTS: All tumor-infiltrating cells accumulated preferentially in the stromal bands between tumor cells. In all types of tumor, CD11c+, CD14+, CD68+ and alpha-naphthyl-acetate-esterase positive monocytes/macrophages accounted for most tumor-infiltrating cells. Next in frequency were T lymphocytes (CD2+, CD3+, TCR alpha beta +). Only a few B lymphocytes (CD22+), and T cells expressing the T cell receptor gamma delta ( TCR gamma delta) were found. Hardly any lymphoid cells with an NK phenotype (CD3-, CD56+) were present in the tumors studied. Large numbers of CD16+ cells were found, which could be identified as macrophages on the basis of their morphology, positive staining with a panel of monocyte/macrophage markers, and the results of double staining with CD11c. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the presence of a large number of macrophages in the cellular infiltrates of several types of tumors. The largest numbers of CD16+ macrophages were found in renal cancer, melanoma, and colonic- carcinoma. These are the tumors that are most susceptible to immunotherapy with lymphokine activated killer cells, suggesting that these CD16+ macrophages may be involved in antitumor cytotoxicity. Furthermore, these findings suggest that new strategies of immunotherapy aimed at the use of macrophages present in many tumors could be developed.
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Authors | H H van Ravenswaay Claasen, P M Kluin, G J Fleuren |
Journal | Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology
(Lab Invest)
Vol. 67
Issue 2
Pg. 166-74
(Aug 1992)
ISSN: 0023-6837 [Print] United States |
PMID | 1501443
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Antigens, CD
(analysis)
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Humans
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Immunophenotyping
- Immunotherapy
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating
(immunology)
- Macrophages
(immunology)
- Neoplasms
(immunology, pathology)
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