Immunocompetence in patients with solid tumors undergoing cobalt 60 irradiation

Forty-eight patients with solid tumors, who had not had previous radiation or chemotherapy, were tested for cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in vivo, before and after undergoing a course of radical radiation therapy. Skin tests of CMI were performed using mumps antigen, candida antigen, tuberculin (intermediate strength), and streptokinase-streptodornase. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions were measured before and after full courses of radiation therapy. Results indicate that therapeutic doses of cobalt 60 irradiation do not adversely affect the CMI response of the majority (77%) of cases. Nine patients were anergic at the beginning of treatment; seven of these patients became reactive to at least one antigen after completing treatment. Five patients were anergic at the end of treatment.