Post operative stimulation of cell mediated immunity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Surgical Oncology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Anesthesia and surgery can impair immune competence, posing risks for cancer patients.
• Malnutrition, common in neoplastic disorders, further reduces cell-mediated immunity.
• Stimulating immune responses post-surgery has limited proven practical value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of protease inhibitors (Aprotinin) and postoperative nutritional therapy on cell-mediated immunity parameters.
• To assess the clinical, metabolic, and immunologic benefits of these interventions after major cancer surgery.

Main Methods:

• Patients undergoing major surgical resection for carcinoma received either protease inhibitors or nutritional therapy postoperatively.
• Parameters related to cell-mediated immunity were monitored.
• Clinical and metabolic outcomes were also assessed.

Main Results:

• No clinical, metabolic, or immunologic benefit was observed from either protease inhibitors or nutritional therapy.
• The study confirmed a depression of cell-mediated immunity parameters postoperatively.
• No evidence supported an immunological mechanism for benefit from these interventions.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative immune depression following major cancer surgery is confirmed.
• Protease inhibitors and nutritional therapy did not demonstrate clinical, metabolic, or immunologic benefits in this study.
• Current evidence does not support the use of these methods for stimulating cell-mediated immunity in clinical practice.