Immunological reactivity of patients with malignant tumors of the head and neck. Part 3: PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation test (author's transl)

Abstract

The PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation tests were measured in 102 cases of malignant tumors of the head and neck and in 35 cases without malignant tumors. Following results were obtained. 1) The degree of lymphocyte-transformation in pretreatment cancer patients was significantly lower than that of the control group. That of the laryngeal carcinomas tended to be especially lower than that of the other cancers. However, in malignant lymphomas, it was even more lower and showed significant difference from that of cancer bearing patients. 2) The degree of lymphocyte-transformation was lowered after treatments but the degree differed with the type of treatment modalities. The operative procedures had little effect but radiation therapy significantly lowered the degree of lymphocyte-transformation. 3) The patients with recurring cancers showed a lower degree of lymphocyte-transformation as compared with that of patients before initial treatments. The degree differed with the type of previous treatments and a significantly lower degree was found in those patients who had received radiation therapy. 4) The reactivity was significantly lowered in the aged than in young patients. In studying the lymphocyte-transformation, age should be considered. 5) It was difficult to estimate the prognosis from the results of lymphocyte-transformation test at the pre-treatment stage. 6) The results of PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation test showed no correlation with the other parameters such as peripheral lymphocyte count, PPD and PHA skin tests.