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Impaired T cell function and decreased natural killer activity in patients with liver cirrhosis and their significance in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

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Summary

It is well known that the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) is very high. We investigated the immunological state in patients with LC and HCC.

T cell population of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and blast transformation of PBL by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly decreased in patients with LC. Natural killer activity against HeLa cell was also significantly decreased in these patients.

These results suggest that immunological surveillance is impaired in patients with LC and this may be one of the aetiological factors in genesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with LC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35-Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

    Toshio Morizane M.D., Tetsu Watanabe M.D., Kanji Tsuchimoto M.D. & Masaharu Tsuchiya M.D.

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  1. Toshio Morizane M.D.
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  2. Tetsu Watanabe M.D.
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  3. Kanji Tsuchimoto M.D.
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  4. Masaharu Tsuchiya M.D.
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This study was supported in part by a grant aid for the immunological study of hepatoma from I.B.M.Japan Ltd.

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Morizane, T., Watanabe, T., Tsuchimoto, K. et al. Impaired T cell function and decreased natural killer activity in patients with liver cirrhosis and their significance in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastroenterol Jpn 15, 226–232 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774272

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774272

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