Changes of immunological markers after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
Recently high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has become an important treatment for hematological and solid tumors.


METHODS
Immunological parameters were examined before and after PBSCT in 9 patients with lung cancer and 13 patients with malignant lymphoma. Findings were compared with those for bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Peripheral blood cells were analyzed for phenotype and the levels of cytokines and soluble factors were measured.


RESULTS
After PBSCT, activated T cells (CD3+HLA-DR+ cells, CD8+HLA-DR+ cells) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (CD8+CD11b- cells) were significantly higher in the patients with lung cancer than in those with malignant lymphoma. Serum levels of interleukin-4 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor were also significantly higher in the patients with lung cancer than in those with lymphoma. On the other hand, the serum levels of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, soluble human leukocyte antigen class 1, and soluble thrombomodulin were significantly increased after bone marrow transplantation. The transfused peripheral stem cells of lung cancer and lymphoma patients had a similar number of granulocyte/macrophage-colony-forming units, but lung cancer patients had significantly more CD34-positive cells.


CONCLUSIONS
By reinfusing large numbers of autologous immune cells, PBSCT may accelerate immune reconstitution, with T cells being likely to have a marked therapeutic potential. The changes after PBSCT were greater in patients with lung cancer than in lymphoma patients. These blood cells are potent mediators of anticancer activity and could play an important role in the elimination of autologous malignant cells.
Katsura
K
K
The First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi Osaka, Japan.
Nomura
S
S
Ohtani
T
T
Matsumoto
N
N
Shimizu
T
T
Yamaguchi
K
K
Kishimoto
Y
Y
Kitajima
H
H
Fukuhara
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines