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Immunosuppression and human cancer: Role of prostaglandins
Author(s) -
Harvey Harold A.,
Allegra Joseph C.,
Demers Laurence M.,
Luderer John R.,
Brenner Dean E.,
Trautlein Joseph J.,
White Deborah S.,
Gillin Marilyn A.,
Lipton Allan
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197706)39:6<2362::aid-cncr2820390608>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - medicine , radioimmunoassay , immunosuppression , prostaglandin e , cancer , prostaglandin , prostaglandin e2 , pathophysiology , sensitization , endocrine system , immunology , endocrinology , gastroenterology , hormone
Prostaglandins, unsaturated fatty acid derivatives with diversified pharmacologic activity, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases. Prostaglandin E (PGE) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in the plasma of 41 normocalcemic patients with various stages of malignancies. Delayed hypersensitivity was assessed by a battery of six recall skin test antigens (ST) and by Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensitization and challenge. Twenty‐five patients with one or more positive skin tests had a mean PGE level of 87 ± 8 pg/ml, whereas 16 patients with negative ST had a mean PGE level of 96 ± 12 pg/ml. Twenty‐one DNCB negative patients had a mean PGE level of 98 ± 12 pg/ml and eight totally anergic patients had a mean PGE of 96 ± 12 pg/ml. All PGE values were within the normal range and there was no statistical difference between the four groups, (p < 0.1). We concluded that circulating PGE does not correlate with the non‐specific immunosuppression seen in cancer patients.