[Immunologic reactivity in patients with breast carcinoma treated with interferon alpha]

We investigated the influence of the natural interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) on the nonspecific immune competence in the early stage of breast cancer. The IFN therapy, which started one month after surgery, lasted four months. Control group of patients received no therapy after surgical removal of the tumor. The immunological parameters (the number and function of T and B cells and mononuclear phagocytes) were monitored once a month during five months. In the course of IFN therapy the values of total and active T cells, as well as their proliferative response to PHA, were slightly decreased, while the number of mononuclear phagocytes and their activity was increased. These values returned into normal range at the end of monitoring. Only the phagocyting activity remained at high level. There was no significant difference between two groups of patients, indicating no effect of IFN therapy on the immunological parameters tested.