title: [Influence of radiotherapy on lymphocyte subpopulations].
abstract: The authors investigated the effects of radiation therapy on the immune system by studying lymphocyte subsets and other parameters in 32 patients undergoing radiation therapy for solid cancer. With monoclonal antibody techniques, we studied both T- and B-lymphocytes; cell suspensions were analyzed by means of a Facs Spectrum III Ortho (Ortho-Diagnostic) unit. The first control was performed right after the beginning of radiotherapy, when the dose to the patients was 50 Gy or higher. The second control was performed at 40 Gy because all patients received this dose. 30% of the patients exhibited lymphopenia from the beginning of the study; at 40 Gy the number of T-lymphocytes was low and helper/suppressor ratio was altered. A variable response of B-cells was observed, although all patients exhibited restoration of normal values at 6 months. Four patients only suffered from side-effects: a patient with tongue cancer presented oral mycosis, and a woman--treated for breast cancer--presented vaginal mycosis. Two cases of cystitis were also observed, after 18 Gy, in patients with uterine carcinoma undergoing pelvic irradiation. Disease progression was observed in 2 patients with head and neck cancer, while 3 patients died from lung cancer progression. Another one, with head and neck cancer, died because of heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Radioterapia, Ospedale Civile, Udine.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ceschia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beorchia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guglielmi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mandoliti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fongione
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cereghini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tonutti
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000528:radiation effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000528:radiation effects; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal