Down-regulation of zeta chain and zeta-associated protein 70 (Zap 70) expression in circulating T lymphocytes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate zeta chain and Zap 70 expression in T lymphocytes of patients with laryngeal cancer in relation to surgical treatment. STUDY DESIGN: This study investigated, by dual-color flow cytometry, zeta chain and Zap 70 expression in the circulating T lymphocytes of 13 patients with laryngeal cancer patients before and after surgical treatment. RESULTS: Patients exhibited a significant lower expression of both zeta chain and Zap 70 compared to healthy normal controls; no statistical differences were observed after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation seem to indicate that both the zeta chain and the Zap 70 expression in circulating T lymphocytes are down-regulated in patients with laryngeal cancer and that these changes do not immediately return to normal after surgery. Flow cytometry analysis may represent an easy-to-use procedure for monitoring the immune status of patients with laryngeal cancer.