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Late immune recovery in children treated for malignant diseases.
- Source :
-
Pathology oncology research : POR [Pathol Oncol Res] 2008 Dec; Vol. 14 (4), pp. 391-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Jun 25. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- In this study we analyzed the recovery of the immune system in children after completion of the therapy. We analysed 88 children (51 boys, 37 girls, mean age at diagnosis: 7.8 years) receiving chemotherapy for malignant diseases (43 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 15 lymphoma, 20 bone tumor, ten other solid tumors). Serum immunoglobulin levels (Ig), natural killer activity (NK), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and T and B cell proliferation were determined 1 year after cessation of therapy. The mean levels of Ig were in the normal range at a mean of 13 months after chemotherapy (IgG: 11.2 +/- 3.3, IgA: 1.6 +/- 0.9, IgM: 1.0 +/- 0.5 g/l), however in the leukemic patients serum IgG was below the lower limit of the normal range in 3/43 (7.0%) cases, serum IgA was low in 5/43 (11.6%) and serum IgM was decreased in 4/43 (9.3%) cases. In the solid tumor patients IgG values were within the normal range and only 2-2/45 children had lower values for IgA and IgM (4.4%). NK activity decreased in 7/43 (16.3%) leukemic patients, and in 3/45 (6.7%) solid tumor patients, ADCC decreased in 8/43 (18.6%) and 3/45 (6.7%), respectively (p < 0.001). B-cell blastic transformation was decreased in 3/43 (7%) leukemic patients and in 4/45 (8.9%) solid tumor patients. At the same time T-cell blastic transformation was altered in 5/43 (11.6%) and in 4/45 (8.9%) cases, respectively. Leukemic patients had significantly more infections during the first year after chemotherapy than solid tumor patients (1.60 +/- 1.18 vs 0.96 +/- 1.14; p = 0.011). No significant correlations could be found between the investigated immune parameters and the number and severity of infections. It is concluded, that cytotoxic therapy can lead to long-term depression of the immune system, first of all in leukemic patients.
- Subjects :
- Antibody Formation physiology
B-Lymphocytes drug effects
B-Lymphocytes immunology
Cell Proliferation drug effects
Child
Female
Humans
Immunity, Cellular physiology
Immunoglobulins blood
Immunoglobulins drug effects
Killer Cells, Natural drug effects
Killer Cells, Natural immunology
Leukocyte Count
Male
Neoplasms drug therapy
T-Lymphocytes drug effects
T-Lymphocytes immunology
Antibody Formation drug effects
Antineoplastic Agents adverse effects
Immunity, Cellular drug effects
Neoplasms immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1219-4956
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Pathology oncology research : POR
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18575827
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-008-9073-5