[Acute leukemia in the terminal phase of Hodgkin's disease: a consequence of the depressed immune function?]

A 52 year old patient suffering from Hodgkin's disease received ionizing radiation and chemotherapy. 7 years after the diagnosis was made he died of acute leukemia. In the recent past similar cases were reported in the literature. There it was suggested that the leukemogenic effect of treatment may be an etiological factor for the development of leukemia. The clinical and experimental data show that the immune function of thymus-dependent lymphocytes is depressed in patients with Hodgkin's disease. According to the Burnet's immune surveillance theory the T-lymphocytes eliminate malignant cells in an early stage. If this T-dependent immune function is depressed - as in Hodgkin's disease - further malignancies may develop.