Modifications of the concentrations of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM after megavoltage radiotherapy by large field technique in patients with Hodgkin's disease

Investigations were continued to study the influence of radiation therapy to immune reactions in man, especially, whether this therapy suppresses humoral immune reactions in patients with Hodgkin's disease. Sera from patients with Hodgkin's disease were collected before, during and after radiation therapy. IgA, IgM and IgG were determined by Mancini technics. 40 patients with Hodgkin's disease showed mostly normal or partly elevated values of immunoglobulins before onset of radiation therapy. Radiation induced a highly significant reduction of IgM and IgA and a significant reduction of IgG, the immunoglobulin values, however, remained mostly within the lower normal range. Investigations during the following months after radiation therapy showed, that IgG returned within two months after the end of therapy to values formerly measured. IgA returned to the basic values about nine months after the end of therapy whereas reduction of IgM continued more than twelve months after the end of therapy. (orig.)