Thymus-dependent lymphocyte levels during radiation therapy for bronchogenic and esophageal carcinoma: correlations with clinical course in responders and nonresponders

The major conclusion from this study, therefore, is that in patients with bronchogenic and esophageal carcinoma, quantitation of cellular immunity by assay of T cell levels and serial determination of the effects of therapy on T cell levels may offer a rational basis for the selection of treatment modalities and the early determination of the effects of therapy. The increasing numbers of clinical protocols utilizing radiation therapy in combination with other modalities in an attempt to improve the cure rates of these tumors warrant an early determination of the usefulness of assay of T cell levels in the design and monitoring of these regimens. (U.S.)