Restoration of immune functions after chemotherapy.
A paradigmatic case in which anticancer chemotherapy could paradoxically lead to immune restoration is reported. A patient with hairy cell leukemia was unsuccessfully treated with alpha-interferon. Treatment had to be withdrawn because of unusual toxicity and therapy with cytotoxic drugs had to be administered. Not only did the anticancer agents produce a complete remission of the disease, but the immunological profile of the patient improved. This case report raises the problem of the interference of chemotherapy with the immune system in cancer patients.
Seminara
P
P
IIIrd Department of Clinical Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Afeltra
A
A
Codacci Pisanelli
M
M
Aronne
T
T
Franchi
F
F
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha