Observation of changes in peripheral lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry in patients with non small cell lung cancer treated with paclitaxel and cisplatin

Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the changes in peripheral lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry in patients with NSCLC treated with paclitaxel and cisplatin. Methods: From 45 patients of NSCLC (non small cell lung cancer) received chemotherapy of paclitaxel and cisplatin, 2 ml venous blood was obtained before and at the 20th day after chemotherapy. By using monoclonal antibodies, the blood samples were evaluated with the flow cytometry for T lymphocyte subsets, NK cell, CD19 cell and CD25 cell. Results: The expressive rates of CD4, CD16, CD25 and the ratio of CD4/CD8 in peripheral blood were higher in post treatment patients than in pre treatment samples (P0.05). There was no difference between post treatment and normal control group in the expressive rates of CD4,CD16,CD25,CD8,CD19,CD3 and the ratio of CD4/CD8. The data of pre treatment or post treatment were not different among three groups of adenocarcinoma， squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Conclusion:Chemotherapy combining paclitaxel with cisplatin for NSCLC can activate patients' immune function.