title: Immunocompetent for immunotherapy? A study of the immunocompetence of cervical cancer patients.
abstract: Sixty-five patients with cervical carcinoma and 17 control subjects were studied to determine immunocompetence as a prerequisite for immunotherapy using live virus vectors. T-cell immunity, measured by surface phenotype and proliferative assays, was reduced with increasing volume of invasive disease, and independent of treatment effects. Both the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets were affected so that the CD4:8 ratio remained within normal limits. In contrast B-cell number, immunoglobulins and complement were normal as were in vivo responses to a polysaccharide vaccine. Thus, determination of immunocompetence prior to use of live vector immunotherapy requires assessment of each individual subject, especially in those with advanced disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Oncology, Medical Immunology,; and Medicine, University Hospital of Wales and Velindre Hospital, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: A.N.
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Fiander
authors.forename: M.
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: A.S.
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: A.J.
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: L.K.
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Borysiewicz