[Effects of extracorporeally induced systemic hyperthermia on cell-mediated immunity]

We have studied the effects of extracorporeally induced systemic hyperthermia on cell-mediated immunity in 12 patients. Also, the effect of heating and anti-cancer drugs on ADCC activity 3 Plaque forming method and 51Cr release method) and NK activity (51Cr release method. target: K-562 cells) of normal human lymphocytes was studied in vitro. The following results were obtained: Lymphocytes, T-cells and IgGFcR+ T-cells counts slightly decreased during the hyperthermotherapy in patients. During initiation of the hyperthermotherapy (Rectal temp. 41.6-41.8 degrees), ADCC activity, PHA, and Con-A induced lymphocyte blastogenesis were slightly depressed, while NK activity was slightly enhanced. At the end of the hyperthermia, ADCC activity, lymphocyte blastogenesis and NK activity were extremely depressed. In vitro, 1 hour of heating at more than 40 degrees C extremely depressed ADCC activity. By heating at 42 degrees C, ADCC activity was depressed depending on heating time, while NK activity was slightly enhanced for the first 10 minutes and then depressed depending on heating time. The administration of anti-cancer drugs (MMC, 5-FU, ADM) did not affect NK activity at all during the heating at 42 degrees C. From these results, it is highly suggested that immunopotentiators should be used during extracorporeally induced systemic hyperthermia in order to make up for the depressed cell-mediated immunity.