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Chemotherapy‐induced differential changes in lymphocyte subsets and natural‐killer‐cell function in patients with advanced breast cancer
Author(s) -
Sewell Herb F.,
Halbert Cyril F.,
Robins R. Adrian,
Galvin Alison,
Chan Stephen,
Blamey Roger W.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910550506
Subject(s) - chemotherapy , breast cancer , natural killer cell , medicine , lymphocyte , lymphocyte subsets , cancer , function (biology) , immunologic function , immunology , oncology , pathology , immune system , cancer research , biology , t cell , cytotoxicity , genetics , in vitro
Abstract To elaborate a rational approach to chemoimmunotherapy in humans, information is required as to how current cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens modulate patients' endogenous immune cells. We have studied a group of 16 advanced breast cancer patients who received cyclical cytotoxic chemotherapy (CMF‐cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5‐fluorouracil) and have documented the progressive differential effects of chemotherapy on endogenous immune cells as judged by changes in immunophenotype and absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets, together with analysis of natural‐killer‐cell function. Cells with the immunophenotype of natural killer cells and lympho‐kine‐activated killer cells (NK/LAK cells) were well retained, but their function was suboptimal. Additionally, CD8 T cells were well preserved, but the numbers of CD4 T cells decreased with succeeding cycles of chemotherapy; B‐cell numbers decreased rapidly from the first cycle of chemotherapy. These cellular changes in humans indicate defined and precisely timed windows of opportunity for introducing in vivo , simple and direct immune stimulation of the cells modulated by chemotherapy, with the possibility of improving therapy and survival in this disease.