Spontaneous rosetting characteristics of prostaglandin (PG)-treated lymphocytes from patients with solid neoplasias

Lymphocytes forming spontaneous rosettes with mouse erythrocytes (ME) were studied in 53 patients with solid neoplasias for their sensitivity to prostaglandins (PGs) E 2 and F 1α. While in normal subjects these PGs markedly inhibit ME-rosette formation, this inhibition is greatly reduced in cancer patients. Moreover this effect appears not to be dose dependent. These patients' lymphocytes with high-affinity receptors for sheep erythrocytes (early E-rosette-forming cells) were also studied for their sensitivity to PGE 2. In all neoplastic patients a low inhibition of early E rosettes was observed in contrast with the high values found in normal subjects. This marked increase of PG-resistant rosette-forming lymphocytes may be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.