Abstract
7200 rads of local HFRT improved projected 2 year disease free survival to 50% in MBSG. Lymphopenia & opportunistic infections in 2 children prompted a study of immune function. Total T cells (TTC) & cytotoxic (CYT), suppressor (SUP), helper (HLP) and inducer (IND) subsets were determined. Proliferative responses were assessed in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Patients were divided into “early”“late” groups if studies were performed within 6 weeks of RT or later.
During the period of decreased CD4+ T cells and abnormal mitogen responses, infections included 3 severe interstitial pneumonitis (2 Pneumocystis carinii), disseminated CMV (1), and herpetic pharyngitis (1). Remarkably, no patient had SUP cells as late as 18 mos post RT. Two patients not given decadron during RT had similar, but less severe, immune abnormalities. Local high dose HFRT in MBSG is associated with abnormal cellular immunity & opportunistic infections.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shannon, K., Edwards, J., Wara, W. et al. SEVERE ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFIENCY FOLLOWING LOCAL HIGH DOSE HYPERFRACTIONATED RADIATION THERAPY (HFRT) FOR MALIGNANT BRAIN STEM GLIOMA (MBSG). Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 318 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00905
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00905