Increased number of circulating suppressor T‐Lymphocytes in Sun‐induced multiple skin cancers

Abstract

The distribution of peripheral lymphocyte subsets was studied in fifteen patients with multiple nonmel‐anoma skin cancers, selected according to history of ultraviolet (UV) or X‐ray exposure. The skin cancer was associated with previous heavy exposure to UV light in seven patients, and past exposure to x‐rays in eight patients. In the UV group, the helper T‐lymphocytes/suppressor T‐lymphocytes (Th/Ts) ratio was abnormally low (P < 0.01) compared with the ratios of the x‐ray and control groups. The low Th/Ts ratio was associated with an absolute increase in the number of Ts. This suggests that heavy sun exposure may cause a permanent increase in the number of Ts in certain persons. These extra T‐lymphocytes may in turn prevent immune rejection of transformed keratinocytes. Copyright © 1988 American Cancer Society