title: Effect of oral retinoid treatment on human natural killer cell activity.
abstract: Peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cell activity was screened in patients with non-malignant disorders of the skin who took oral etretinate or 13-cis-retinoic acid for up to 11 months. Compared to pretreatment values, the basic NK activity rose during the first 2 months of treatment, but thereafter returned to starting values. Interferon reactivity (IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma) was essentially unaltered by the treatment. It is concluded that moderate oral retinoid doses cause a mild, transient stimulation of this natural immune surveillance system in man.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005050:Etretinate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014212:Tretinoin; D005050:Etretinate; D015474:Isotretinoin