OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between zeta chain level of peripheral blood T/NK cells and tumor progression in renal-cell carcinoma and bladder cancer and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe peripheral blood mononuclcear cells in 58 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 22 patients with bladder cancer and 14 healthy blood donors were examined by flow cytometry with fluorescent anti-CD3 (for T cells), or anti-CD56 (for NK cells) and anti-zeta chain monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTSThe zeta chain expression of T cell and NK cell in stage I, II and III renal-cell carcinoma decreased to 59.5%, 37.6%, 21.3% and 62.2%, 27.1%, 18.8% of the healthy control level, respectively. That in stage I, II and III bladder cancer decreased to 37.6%, 29.5%, 18.9% and 35.4%, 20.8%, 5.8% of the control level, respectively. T and NK cell zeta chain levels in 17.5% (14/80) of the patients were within the normal range. T/NK ratios of peripheral blood in stage III patients were remarkably lower than those of the healthy donor.

CONCLUSIONReduced T and NK zeta chain levels and T/NK ratio in the renal-cell carcinoma and bladder cancer are generally consistent with tumor progression. The patients with normal T and NK zeta chain level may be indicated for immunotherapy.