Restoration of immune functions after chemotherapy
P Seminara1, A Afeltra, M Codacci Pisanelli
1IIIrd Department of Clinical Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Abstract:
A paradigmatic case in which anticancer chemotherapy could paradoxically lead to immune restoration is reported. A patient with hairy cell leukemia was unsuccessfully treated with alpha-interferon. Treatment had to be withdrawn because of unusual toxicity and therapy with cytotoxic drugs had to be administered. Not only did the anticancer agents produce a complete remission of the disease, but the immunological profile of the patient improved. This case report raises the problem of the interference of chemotherapy with the immune system in cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Tumor Immunotherapy


