Abstract

We have studied the distribution of Langerhans cells associated with T lymphocytes/or histocytes in 83 cases of resected primary lung cancers by immunohistochemical methods using anti-S100 protein, B and T lymphocyte markers and anti-lysozyme antibodies. Langerhans cells were present in all the main histologic subtypes but small cell carcinoma. Langerhans cells were noted much more frequently in adenocarcinoma, particularly those subclassified as bronchioloalveolar carcinoma than in other histologic types. T lymphocytes were seen if any associated with Langerhans cells among tumor cells whereas lysozyme positive histiocytes were mostly scattered in the supporting stroma between tumor cells. Clinical follow-up data available for 72 cases showed no significant correlations between infiltration of Langerhans cells and overall survival. There seemed to be a little longer survival in adenocarcinoma with Langerhans cells than those without but it proved to be insignificant by statistical analysis. The current results remain to be confirmed in much larger studies with regard to prognostic significance of infiltrating Langerhans cells and their association with T lymphocytes in primary lung cancers in view of known immunologic role of Langerhans cells.

• Keywords: Lung cancer, Immunohistochemistry, Langerhans cell, T lymphocytes, Prognosis