Human leucocyte antigen class I (HLA-I), which includes HLA-A, -B and -C, is an essential immune factor participating in the antitumour immune response. The changes in HLA-I expression in peripheral blood T lymphocytes in cancer patients have yet to be defined. This study examined the expression of HLA-I on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in female patients with stage I — IV breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma, benign breast tumour diseases (mammary intraductal papilloma or breast fibroadenoma), and in healthy controls. HLA-I was down-regulated on CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients with stage III and IV cancer, and on CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with stage I — IV cancer compared with healthy controls. HLA-I expression in T lymphocytes may contribute towards immune-balance disorders in tumour patients.
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