[Immunologic stimulation with vitamin A in advanced cervix cancer]

For treatment of patients with inoperable cervical cancer (FIGO III) a randomized trial has been initiated. Patients were randomized to receive either conventional irradiation therapy together with vitamin A palmitate (1.5 mill. I.U./day; total dose: 30 mill. I.U.), applied orally, or irradiation alone. When lymphocyte reactivity to PHA (maximum response during therapy) was compared within the groups, it was found, that 66% of the patients who received irradiation combined with vitamin A palmitate, showed an increase in their blastogenic response, while in irradiated patients without vitamin A palmitate a response was seen only in 33%. This difference being statistically significant in comparison to pretreatment values. From immunological data it can be concluded, that vitamin A has an effect on functional response on T-cells. Concerning the clinical outcome, after an observation period of 12 months relapse rates were lower in the vitamin A group, but not significantly reduced. Therefore further follow up is warranted.