Consideration on diminished immunologic defences in the elderly neoplastic subject

We evaluated some useful parameters which identify immuno-depressive states in the elderly neoplastic patient, who is subject to possible associated infective diseases. Out of 27 patients followed-up over four months of chemotherapy in concomitance with an immunomodulator, it was seen that in 42.3% there was an increase in their immune defences, assessed by an increase in total lymphocytes with a lymphocyte ratio of T4/T8 and NK cells, and by checking the urinoculture for urinary infections which showed an improved performance status.