Radiation-induced changes of immune parameters in patients of uterine cervical cancer

Changes induced by therapeutic irradiation in uterine cervical cancer patients were studied. In peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations, number of lymphocytes, total E-RFC, active E-RFC and blastic transformation were decreased, and immune skin response weakened by irradiation. These changes were most exaggerated a few weeks after radiotherapy started, and its recovery was very slow. In a group of recurrent cancer, recovery of immune parameters was much delayed. In irradiated patients whose immune activity has been suppressed and its effect continues, adjunct immune therapy is thought to be necessary. (Ueda, J.)