[Effect of primary radiochemotherapy on cellular and subcellular immunologic parameters]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Radiotherapy

Background:

• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are known to modulate immune responses in various cancer sites.
• The specific impact of radiochemotherapy on head and neck cancer immunity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of accelerated radiochemotherapy with Carboplatin on cellular and subcellular immunity in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Main Methods:

• A phase II/III trial involving 50 patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
• Simultaneous accelerated radiochemotherapy with Carboplatin (70 mg/sqm) and a total radiation dose of 66 Gy/35 days.
• Comprehensive assessment of immunological parameters including lymphocyte subpopulations, T-cell subsets, cytokine profiles, and in vitro lymphocyte function.

Main Results:

• Significant, reversible decreases in lymphocyte subpopulation counts and overall lymphocyte function were observed during therapy.
• A significant decrease in interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentration was noted.
• Concurrently, concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble IL-1 receptor antagonist increased significantly.

Conclusions:

• Accelerated radiochemotherapy with Carboplatin leads to a profound, yet reversible, impairment of cellular immunity in head and neck cancer patients.
• The observed immune suppression is accompanied by a compensatory cytokine reaction, indicating a complex immunomodulatory effect.