title: Natural cytotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy: effects of L-arginine supplementation.
abstract: Certain cytotoxic drugs have been shown to suppress host anti-cancer defence mechanisms. The amino acid L-arginine can significantly enhance natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell cytotoxicity in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. In this study, the effect of L-arginine supplementation on natural cytotoxicity was determined in patients with breast cancer receiving CHOP chemotherapy. This cytotoxic regimen caused a transient immunosuppression, maximal on day 14 of each cycle (P < 0.001); this was not cumulative during the four cycles of treatment. Those patients receiving L-arginine supplementation (30 g/day for 3 days prior to each course of chemotherapy) had a smaller and delayed onset of immunosuppression (day 14), compared with those patients who had CHOP only (day 9). L-Arginine was able to repeatedly stimulate NK and LAK cell cytotoxicity in patients who were receiving CHOP chemotherapy (P < 0.003). In conclusion, further studies are required to determine the optimal use of chemotherapeutic agents, alone or in combination with immunostimulators, to avoid inhibition of host anti-cancer defence mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Aberdeen, Medical School, Foresterhill, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brittenden
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Heys
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eremin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000187:drug effects; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001120:Arginine; D011241:Prednisone