Immunocompetence in non-seminomatous testicular cancer patients before any treatment and one year after completion of therapy.
BACKGROUND
Assessment of immunocompetence in non-seminomatous testicular cancer (NSTC) patients.


METHODS
In the peripheral blood of 43 patients with NSTC, lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, NK cell activity as well as neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions were studied.


RESULTS
The proportion and number of T- and B- lymphocytes, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens as well as neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions were equal in patients with localized disease and in those with metastatic disease and they not differ from those in controls. The NK cell number and NK cell activity, however, were significantly impaired in both patient groups. The patients with metastatic disease had a lower NK cell activity than those with localized disease. One year after the completion of anticancer treatment, the NK cell number and cytotoxic activity recovered in both groups of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that patients with NSTC are primarily deficient in NK cell number and their cytotoxic function influence the host's ability to control the proliferation and spread of tumor cells.
Kastelan
Zeljko
Z
Urology Department, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Pasini
Josip
J
Derezić
Danijel
D
Lukac
Josip
J
Kusić
Zvonko
Z
Mrazovac
Danijel
D
Sosić
Hrvoje
H
Kastelan
Maja
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D018239:Seminoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D001761:Bleomycin; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin