Lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin before and after radiation therapy in patients with carcinomas of the head and neck

Abstract

The ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes to respond in vitro to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was studied before and after radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck. Patient lymphocyte response to PHA was depressed before therapy and further declined following therapy. The pre-therapy PHA responsiveness was found to be prognostically significant in regard to patient survival.