Aim: The exact immunopathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-
associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. The aim
of the present study was to assess the expression of CD4, CD8, and
MHC class I molecules in NPC.
Method: Biopsies were obtained from patients with NPC as well
as the Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-seronegative patients as a control.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were classified using the World
Health Organization (WHO) pathological assessment and clinical stag-
ing of NPC. The expression of CD4, CD8, and MHC class I in the biop-
sies were assessed immunohistochemically.
Result: The results showed that the number of CD4 positive, CD8 pos-
itive, and MHC class I positive cells in NPC patients were higher than
those in EBV-negative subjects (p<0.05). The number of these positive
cells in NPC patients with WHO Type II or early clinical stage was not
significantly differences with those with WHO Type III or late clinical
stage, respectively (p>0.05). No statistical differences between the
number of CD4 positive and CD8 positive cells in NPC patients could
be found (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest, therefore, that
the expression of CD4, CD8 and MHC class I molecules may not be as-
sociated with the pathologic classification and clinical staging of NPC
and that the CD4:CD8 ratio in nasopharyngeal carcinoma may indicate
decreased functions of these infiltrating T cell subsets.
Key words: CD4; CD8; MHC class I; NP
