title: Immune evaluation of lung cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
abstract: Immunocompetence, as determined by skin reactivity to five microbial antigens, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and percent and absolute number of total T and B rosette-forming cells (RFC), was assessed before and up to 180 days after radiotherapy in 29 patients with carcinoma of the lung. Pretherapy evaluation showed a depressed response to microbial antigens (only 38% positive), to DNCB (50% positive), and lower level of T-RFC. Postradiotherapy determinations were further depressed. Patients with positive pretherapy responses to microbial antigens and DNCB and higher than median absolute numbers at total T-RFC had significantly longer survival. These data suggest that pretherapy immune evaluation is a good prognostic indicator. No prognostic significance was found in B-RFC evaluation. No correlation was seen between the stage of disease (locally advanced or with distant metastases) and the pretherapy immune response.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene