Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes distribution in patients with oral cancer/oral leukoplakia in Taiwan

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is common in many Asian countries. The immunopathogenesis of OSCC is unclear. The authors analyzed the lymphocyte subtypes and surface activation markers in healthy Taiwanese people (n = 130) and patients with OSCC (n = 97)/oral leukoplakia (OL, n = 28) using flow cytometry. Univariate analysis found an elevation in the percentage of CD56+ NK cells, CD4+/CD69+ T cells, CD19+/CD69+ B cells and CD56+/CD69+ NK cells in OSCC patients relative to healthy people. The CD19+ and CD19+/CD25+ lymphocyte subtypes decreased in OSCC patients. CD56+ NK cells increased in OL patients. CD56+/CD69+ NK cells were elevated in recurrent and advanced OSCC. Multivariate analysis revealed an increase in CD56+ NK and CD19+/CD69+ cells in OL patients relative to controls. CD19+ B cells declined during progression from OL to OSCC. Betel quid chewing, alcohol, smoking, tumour location and staging showed little effect on lymphocyte subtypes. These results suggest that alterations and activation of NK cells, T and B cells are important and associated with disease status in oral carcinogenesis.