title: Immunological effects of cefodizime in patients undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy.
abstract: The effects of cefodizime (CDZ) on lymphocyte differentiation were investigated in a randomized study before, on day 4 and on the day after five days of antineoplastic treatment with vepesid, bleomycin and cisplatin. Nine men with testicular cancer received CDZ 2 g i.v. once daily for seven days and 11 received no antibiotic treatment. A significant fall in the absolute numbers of platelets, erythrocytes, leucocytes and all T-cell subsets was observed in both groups. No change in the relative numbers of lymphocyte subpopulations was observed in the control group, whereas a significant rise in the percentage of CD4 positive (T helper/inducer) cells was observed in the CDZ group. Along with a decrease in CD8 positive (T suppressor/cytotoxic) cells, this led to an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio. In both groups a decrease of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the lymphocyte transformation test, particularly leading to a long-lasting impairment of the proliferative capacity of PWM-dependent B lymphocytes. In two patients CDZ may have contributed to an increase in PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation during chemotherapy. It is concluded that CDZ induces an increase in both the percentage of CD4 positive (T helper/inducer) cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio in patients with testicular cancer undergoing antineoplastic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Frauenklinik der Universität Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mallmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brühl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio / Q000187:drug effects; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D002439:Cefotaxime; C033356:cefodizime