Changes in lymphocyte subsets in patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis after microwave coagulation therapy

• Published in: Journal of Microwave Surgery Vol. 15; pp. 47 - 57
• Main Authors: Ozaki, Takashi, Shimamoto, Tetsuya, Toyoda, Kouzou, Tanaka, Hajime, Kusunoki, Hidekazu, Uenishi, Mikihiro, Saeki, Osamu, Hotta, Tsukasa, Fujiwara, Ikuya, Ichikawa, Hideaki, Mori, Kazunari, Nakai, Hiroaki, Ueda, Kentaro, Tsuji, Takeshi, Sakakura, Souhei, Nakamura, Mikinori, Tabuse, Katsuyoshi, Ishimaru, Eizaburou, Yamazoe, Shinji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Study Group of Microwave Surgery 1997
• Subjects: Fibroblast; Hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis; NK Cell; Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy; T Cell; Transformation
• ISSN: 0917-7728; 1882-210X
• DOI: 10.3380/jmicrowavesurg.15.47

Since we began to perform Microwave Coagulation Therapy in inoperative patients suffering from a hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis, we have experienced the reduction or the disappearance of the tumor. In this study we analyzed he subsets of T Cells and NK Cells of patients' peripheral blood by FACScan after Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy and investigated the anti-tumor immunological effects induced by the therapy. As a result, both NK Cells acquired high cytotoxic activity and increased transiently. The therapy also the ratio of CD3 + CD4 + Cells / CD3 + CD8 + Cells in patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis transiently. Histological findings in the tumor are that fibrous tissues including collagen III and fibronection, many groups of CA19-9 staining and Epitherial Membrane Antigen (EMA) staining positive cells, a large number of histiocytes, fibroblasts and T Cells replaced hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Histological findings of hepatic tissue around the needle are that following in order from the puncture point, coagulation necrosis, apoptosis, fibrous tissue including many histiocytes and fibroblasts and few T Cells, atypical cells overlapped each other and replaced the original hepatic cells. In atypical cells, there were CA19-9 staining positive cells, EMA staining positive cells, vimentin staining positive fibroblasts and some of these atypical cells were denatured from hepatic cells to fibroblast-like cells by microwave. It is considered that in addition to the repair phenomenon of hepatic tissue, hepatic cells around the puncture area were transformed to CA19-9 staining positive cells and fibroblasts by the microwave and the same phenomenons in the tumor cells and fibroblasts by the microwave and the same phenomena in the tumor cells may occuured. It is mentioned that this phenomenon induced in the tumor by the microwave causes T Cells and histiocytes to infiltrate into tumor tissues and participate in the changes of peripheral blood lymphocytes directly or indirectly.