NATURAL CYTO-TOXICITY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIATION-THERAPY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 6  (1) , 53-59
Abstract
Natural cytotoxicity against K562 [human leukemia] target cells was measured in 51 adults with solid epithelial malignant tumors who were untreated, in 42 patients who were studied within 6 wk following completion of radiotherapy (4000-7000 rads), and in 27 normal subjects. In both the radiated and the nonirradiated groups, mean cytotoxicity for patients with localized cancers was not significantly different from that of the normal controls, whereas mean cytotoxicity for patients with advanced cancers was significantly lower than that for normal controls and patients with localized disease. Twelve percent of nonirradiated patients and 13% of radiated patients with localized tumors, but 46% of nonirradiated patients and 44% of irradiated patients with advanced cancers, failed to exhibit normal NK [natural killer] activity. Mean cytotoxicity for irradiated patients was not significantly different from that of untreated patients. PBL from most patients showed enhanced cytotoxicity after preincubation of PBL [peripheral blood lymphocytes] with interferon (IFN.alpha.). Mean cytotoxicities for nonirradiated and irradiated patients after IFN.alpha. [.alpha.-interferon] pretreatment of PBL were not significantly different. In both patient groups, IFN.alpha.-boosted killing was significantly less in patients with advanced disease than in patients with local tumors or normals. Radiotherapy has no significant effect on spontaneous or IFN.alpha.-boosted natural cytotoxicity.