Abstract
Thirty-eight patients with metastatic melanoma were investigated for lymphocyte function immediately prior to chemo-immunotherapy. The pre-treatment immune tests were compared with normal control values and with response to therapy. The "non-responder" group (but not "responder") had significantly reduced values for lymphocyte, null-cell and E-rosette-cell counts compared with controls. Lymphocytoxicity ( using a Chang target cell) showed the same pattern, with depression of direct and K-cell cytotoxic capacity in non-responders compared with controls. Eight patients were studied sequentially whilst on treatment, and demonstrated considerable change (not statistically significant) in lymphocytotoxicity, an untreated "control" patient showed little variation. "Recall"-antigen skin testing showed no statistically significant difference between the patient groups. The data indicate that "non-T-cell activity" may be associated with response to chemo-immunotherapy.
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Thatcher, N., Palmer, M., Gasiunas, N. et al. Lymphocyte function and response to chemo-immunotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. Br J Cancer 36, 751–762 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1977.258
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1977.258