Serial studies of immunocompetence of patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia

Immunocompetence was followed serially for 1 yr from the onset of treatment in 55 adult patients with acute leukemia. The tests used were delayed hypersensitivity responses to a battery of five recall antigens (dermatophytin, dermatophytin 0, candida, streptokinase-streptodornase, and mumps) and in vitro lymphocyte blastogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin and streptolysin 0. There was a strong correlation between immunocompetence at the start of treatment and a good prognosis; 32/39 patients who subsequently entered remission were initially immunocompetent compared to 4/15 who failed to enter remission. In the complete remission group there was a decline in competence starting from 2 to 5 mo after the onset of treatment. In those who remained in remission for 1 yr, competence recovered at 6 mo and remained vigorous thereafter. In those who relapsed before 1 yr, the decline in competence occurred 1 mo before relapse and competence continued to decline progressively during the 1 yr follow-up period. These studies suggest that therapeutic approaches which restore immunocompetence or prevent its decline will improve both the remission rate and the remission duration of patients with acute leukemia.