The effect of surgery, radiation therapy, and combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy on immunocompetence in patients with lung carcinoma

The immunologic status of 59 patients with lung carcinoma was determined by analysis of peripheral venous blood samples. The following tests were performed: total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, the number of acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive cells (T-cells), and phytohaemaggluti...

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Published inActa radiologica. Oncology Vol. 24; no. 6; p. 481
Main Authors Jakobsson, M, Taskinen, P J, Ryhänen, P, Hollmén, A, Herva, E, Kärkölä, P, Saloheimo, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Sweden 01.01.1985
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Combined Modality Therapy
DNA Replication
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Immunocompetence
Leukocyte Count
Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy
Lung Neoplasms - immunology
Lung Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Lung Neoplasms - surgery
Lymphocyte Activation
Male
Middle Aged
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
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Summary:The immunologic status of 59 patients with lung carcinoma was determined by analysis of peripheral venous blood samples. The following tests were performed: total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, the number of acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive cells (T-cells), and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and tuberculin (PPD) transformation tests. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: a surgery group (S), a radiation therapy group (R), and a combined cytostatic and radiation therapy group (C). A follow-up was carried out 4 to 6 months after treatment. The therapeutic measures, resection, irradiation, and chemotherapy, produced a decrease in the total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, in the number of T-cells, and in the leucocyte transformation response to PPD. In the surgically treated group the decrease was transient. In the groups treated with radiation therapy and combined cytostatic and radiation therapy the values remained low throughout the follow-up. The lymphocyte response to PHA was not altered in any of the groups during initial treatment or follow-up. The results did not suggest a correlation between the immunologic parameters used and the stage and histologic type of lung cancer. The tests were of no clinical value in the determination of the individual prognosis.
ISSN:0349-652X
DOI:10.3109/02841868509134420