title: Effect of treatment with diethylstilbestrol-polyestradiol phosphate or estramustine phosphate (estracyt) on natural killer cell activity in patients with prostatic cancer.
abstract: We evaluated the effect of treatment of patients with prostatic cancer with estramustine phosphate or the combination diethylstilbestrol-polyestradiol phosphate on the natural killer cell activity in peripheral blood. Although estramustine phosphate did not affect natural killer cell activity, diethylstilbestrol-polyestradiol phosphate substantially reduced natural killing after a treatment period of 1 week. The activity was only slightly further lowered after 4 weeks of treatment. Possible clinical implications of the difference in susceptibility of natural killer cells to these agents are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004961:Estramustine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D004961:Estramustine; D004958:Estradiol; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; C008958:polyestradiol phosphate