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Immunocompetence and malignant lymphoma: Immunologic status before therapy
Author(s) -
Anderson Thomas C.,
Jones Stephen E.,
Soehnlen Barbara J.,
Moon Thomas E.,
Griffith Kathy,
Stanley Patricia
Publication year - 1981
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(19811215)48:12<2702::aid-cncr2820481224>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - immunocompetence , medicine , lymphoma , histology , pokeweed mitogen , lymphocyte , immune system , immunology , pathology , immunodeficiency , antigen , biology , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , biochemistry , in vitro
One‐hundred‐eighty‐six previously untreated patients with malignant lymphoma were evaluated for immunocompetence by means of several tests of immune function: total circulating lymphocytes, T cells (E‐rosettes), B cells (EAC‐rosettes), delayed hypersensitivity to six recall antigens, serum immunoglobulins, mixed lymphocyte culture, and lymphocyte mitogenic response to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen. The results were correlated with histology, stage, and clinical features. Diffuse lymphomas, especially diffuse histiocytic (large cell) (DHL), were associated with decreased absolute lymphocytes and E‐rosette forming cells. Skin test reactivity varied with both histology and stage. For example, only one of six tests was impaired in diffuse lymphocytic well differentiated (DLWD) lymphoma in contrast to two of six in localized DHL and five of six in advanced DHL. Patients with nodular lymphoma exhibited depressed mean levels of IgA and IgG, while only IgA was significantly decreased in diffuse lymphoma. Mitogen stimulation was depressed in all groups, although mixed lymphocyte cultures did not differ significantly from controls. In summary, there is a spectrum of immunodeficiency of both B and T cell type in patients with malignant lymphoma that correlates with histology and stage. Implications and possible mechanisms of these observations are discussed.