INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EFFICIENCY OF CANCER TREATMENT AND STATE OF IMMUNE SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH LARYNGEAL AND HYPOPHARYNGEAL CANCER

Abstract

Abstract. We have studied possible interrelationships between immune system state and efficiency of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with cancer of larynx and hypopharynx. The neoadjuvant treatment consisted of 2 courses of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2), carboplatin (AUC-6 in 3-4 weeks), followed by radiation therapy at a multifraction dose schedule (1.2 Gy 2 times daily in 4 h, total cumulated dose was estimated as isoeffective dose of 40 Gy). A better response to chemotherapy by paclitaxel and carboplatin in the patients with cancer of larynx and hypopharynx had been associated with higher percentage of CD56+ cells and IgM levels in peripheral blood, as measured before starting cancer treatment. After completing the neoadjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy, we noted an increase in total lymphocyte counts, CD4+, CD8+, CD56+ cell numbers and IgG levels in the patients with pronounced response to chemotherapy, thus suggesting some induction of immune response in cancer patients during cytostatic therapy. These data presume a relationship between the state of immune system in the patients with head-and-neck cancer, and their response to neoadjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. On the basis of these findings, one may suggest that immunological mechanisms make take an important part in promotion of antitumor effects produced by standard cancer treatment.

Keywords

• immune system
• head and neck cancer
• antitumor treatment
• efficiency