Immunity in esophageal carcinoma.
In carcinoma of the esophagus, response to in vivo sensitization with recall antigens and DNCB was markedly depressed with 13% and 16% positivity respectively. Similarly, the number of T-cells was found to be significantly low (24 +/- 14) as compared to normal control (61 +/- 23). Blastogenesis index with PHA was only 1.75 +/- 1.04 in contrast to normal of 6.79 +/- 2.57. This depression was independent of serum albumin level and body weight. Cell-mediated immunity was further depressed following radiotherapy and did not improve following enteral alimentation for 3 weeks. In untreated patients, there was a significant rise in levels of IgA (298 +/- 184 mg/100 ml) as compared to normal (154 +/- 54 mg/100 ml). Levels of IgA did show a downward trend following enteral hyperalimentation. Circulating immune complexes and serum CEA level were elevated in almost 50% of patients. These data confirm the influence of tumor-related impairment of cell-mediated immunity while nutrition appears to affect IgA levels.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D012709:Serum Albumin