Lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes in metastatic pleural effusions
Djeu, J.Y.; McCoy, J.L.; Cannon, G.B.; Reeves, W.J.; West, W.H.; Hergerman, R.B.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 56(5): 1051-1052
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 1086905 Document Number: 106121
Percentages of lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes at 29.degree. C were determined in 10 cancer patients with metastases to the pleural cavity. Compared with normal controls, the patients showed a decreased proportion of rosette-forming cells (RFC) in the peripheral blood. The same patients had elevated levels of RFC in their metastatic pleural effusions. Two patients with benign diseases had normal levels of RFC in their peripheral blood and pleural transudates. These observations suggested that in cancer patients some T [thymus-derived]-cells might migrate from the peripheral blood and accumulate in sites of tumor infiltration, such as the pleural cavity.