OBJECTIVETo analyse the correlation between the cellular immunity and TCM Syndrome typing of patients with minimal residual leukemia (MRI).

METHODSThe analysis was performed by detecting cellular immunological parameters in 30 MRI patients, 55 healthy persons and 36 patients with acute leukemia (AL) using three fluoresceine-conjugated monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometer.

RESULTSAs compared with those in the healthy persons, universal reductions of various parameters were shown in the MRI patients, including WBC count, absolute value of total T-lymphocytes, T-helper lymphocyte (P < 0.05) and total lymphocytes; the percentage and absolute value of NK cells (P < 0.01); and the percentages of total T-lymphocytes, CD4+ CD29+, T-suppressor cells and T-memory cells (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but without any rising of absolute value. As compared with those in the patients with AL, parameters were similar in the two groups with insignificant difference. The disturbances, including the lowering on ratio of T-helper/T-suppressor lymphocytes, in MRI patients of Qi-blood insufficiency type was the severest, that in the patients of Qi-Yin deficiency type was the mildest, and that in patients of Yin-deficiency with excess Fire type located between them.

CONCLUSIONThe immune function of MRI patients is low, belonging to the TCM Syndrome of vital energy deficiency with evil-lingering. Since the degree of cellular immune disturbance is different in various TCM Syndrome types, therefore, they should be treated with different dosages of different drugs.