Immunological effects of cefodizime in patients undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy

The effects of cefodizime (CDZ) on lymphocyte differentiation were investigated in a randomized study before, on day 4 and on the day after five days of antineoplastic treatment with vepesid, bleomycin and cisplatin. Nine men with testicular cancer received CDZ 2 g i.v. once daily for seven days and 11 received no antibiotic treatment. A significant fall in the absolute numbers of platelets, erythrocytes, leucocytes and all T-cell subsets was observed in both groups. No change in the relative numbers of lymphocyte subpopulations was observed in the control group, whereas a significant rise in the percentage of CD4 positive (T helper/inducer) cells was observed in the CDZ group. Along with a decrease in CD8 positive (T suppressor/cytotoxic) cells, this led to an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio. In both groups a decrease of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the lymphocyte transformation test, particularly leading to a long-lasting impairment of the proliferative capacity of PWM-dependent B lymphocytes. In two patients CDZ may have contributed to an increase in PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation during chemotherapy. It is concluded that CDZ induces an increase in both the percentage of CD4 positive (T helper/inducer) cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio in patients with testicular cancer undergoing antineoplastic therapy.