[Radiotherapy and tumor immunity--analysis using monoclonal antibodies]

In order to better understand the immunologic effects of irradiation, blood levels of lymphocyte subsets were sequentially monitored in 37 patients before and during irradiation treatment for lung cancer. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes induced by radiotherapy were analysed by the avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase method. 49 cases of head and neck cancer were examined. In some cases, remarkable infiltration of lymphocytes was observed surrounding cancer cells during radiotherapy. This infiltration was mainly composed of anti-Leu-3a + 3b positive lymphocytes, and HLA-DR positive cancer cells were remarkably observed.