title: Impaired NK cells and increased T regulatory cell numbers during cytotoxic maintenance therapy in AML.
abstract: Cyclic cytotoxic maintenance therapy can be applied to patients with AML in post-remission. We studied the immune status of AML patients in complete remission and the effect of maintenance therapy on different immune cell populations. Patients in complete remission had reduced NK, TH and Treg counts and a reduced NK activation capacity. In the course of cytotoxic maintenance therapy, NK counts further declined, while TH and Treg cells increased, with lower proliferative potential of TH cells. We conclude that immunotherapeutic approaches in post-remission have to consider reduced NK cell function and further impairment of cellular immune responses during cytotoxic therapy.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany; Clinical Co-Operation Group Immunotherapy at the Helmholtz Institute Munich, Munich, Germany; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors: Felix S
authors: FS
authors: Lichtenegger
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany; Clinical Co-Operation Group Immunotherapy at the Helmholtz Institute Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Lorenz
authors: Epiontis GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Gellhaus
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Hiddemann
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany; Clinical Co-Operation Group Immunotherapy at the Helmholtz Institute Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Beck
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany; Clinical Co-Operation Group Immunotherapy at the Helmholtz Institute Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Marion.Subklewe@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Subklewe
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; Cytotoxic therapy; Immunomonitoring; Maintenance therapy; NK cell; T regulatory cell