[Effects of thermochemotherapy on immunologic function of patients with lip cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of thermochemotherapy on the immunologic function of lip cancer patients and to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of thermochemotherapy.


METHODS
Twenty patients were heated by microwave at (42.5 +/- 0.2) degree C for 40 minutes after venoclysis of Pingyangmycin (8 mg) and Methotrexate (20 mg). Each of the patients received the therapy twice a week for 5 weeks. Venous blood was obtained before the first thermochemotherapy and after the tenth thermochemotherapy. Lymphocyte transformation index was examined by 3H-TdR method, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were assayed by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
The tumors of the 20 patients were completely extinctive. The lymphocyte transformation index after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (P < 0.01). The CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05); the CD8+ T cells after treatment was lower than that before treatment, but there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Thermochemotherapy can enhance the lip cancer patient's T lymphocyte immunologic function, which possibly plays an important role in the treatment of lip cancer.
Liang
Xin-hua
XH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wang
Sheng-zhi
SZ
Mao
Zu-yi
ZY
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D001761:Bleomycin; C021771:zhengguangmycin; D008727:Methotrexate