Lymphocyte function related to survival curves in patients with metastatic melanoma treated by chemoimmunotherapy.
Thirty-eight patients with metastatic melanoma were evaluated immunologically prior to chemoimmunotherapy. The assays used included recall antigen skin hypersensitivity; lymphocyte count; nonspecific T, non-T, and K cell lymphocytotoxicity; and T and B cell rosette enumeration. Survival curves were computed for each of four ranges of values of a given immunologic test. The higher ranges of positive skin tests, lymphocyte count, cytotoxicity, and T and B subpopulation numbers were consistently associated with the longer survivals. The differences reached statistical significance for non-T cell cytotoxicity and B and T cell peripheral blood counts. Pretreatment immune reactivity, particularly that involvingg non-T cell function, appears related to length of survival.
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012397:Rosette Formation; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine