Long-term effect of radiotherapy on the lymphocyte lysosomal enzymes and serum immunoglobulins in patients with cancer of the larynx.
Thirty male patients ranging in age from 40 to 70 years, investigated 6--9 years after radiotherapy for cancer of the larynx, showed various alterations of the lysosomal apparatus of peripheral blood lymphocytes. These changes, consisting of diffusion of the lysosomal enzymes within the cytoplasm and disappearance of normal lysosomal granules, were related to a greater extent to the beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase positive-lysosomes than to the acid phosphatase-positive ones. Determination of the enzymatic activities was achieved by cytochemical techniques. The increased immunological reactivity of the patients was reflected in the frequently elevated immunoglobulin levels, particularly that of IgA, in the serum and an increase of the enzyme-positive lymphocyte count in the blood.
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000528:radiation effects; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000528:radiation effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase