Alteration of Lymphocyte after Cessation of Anticancer Therapy in Patients with Malignancy

Yang, Sung Wan; Jeon, In Sang; Lee, Jung Bok; Son, Dong Woo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The immunologic function after cessation of anticancer therapy is usually compromised, thus predisposing patients to infections, sometimes fatal. The number and subtype of lymphocytes, which play the central role in immune reaction, were serially evaluated to investigate the time of restoration after cessation of anticancer therapy.
METHODS
Eight patients of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 6 patients of solid tumors, completing anticancer therapy, were eligible for the evaluation of lymphocyte analysis. The total number and subtype of lymphocytes were serially evaluated for every 6 months until 24 months.
RESULTS
The restoration of absolute lymphocyte count was observed from 12 months (42.9%) after off-therapy and significantly increased serially until 24 months (85.6%). The restoration of B-cell was observed from 6 months (78.6%) until 12 months (100%). The restoration of T-cell was observed from 6 months (35.7%) and significantly increased serially until 24 months (71.4%). The normalization of T4/T8 ratio was observed from 6 months (57.2%) and increased until 24 months (85.7%), however there was not statistical significant increase with time passage. The restoration of NK cell was observed from 6 months (50.0%) until 24 months (71.4%), however there was not statistical significant increase with time passage.
CONCLUSION
The restoration of absolute lymphocyte count was observed 12 months after off-therapy. In addition, the restoration of subtypes of lymphocyte and NK cell was observed 6 months after off-therapy. The restoration of B cell was observed earlier than T cell and NK cell. Although the restoration of lymphocyte after cessation of anticancer therapy increased with time passage until 24 months, it was not enough. Therefore, it needs an immunologic functional evaluation until the time of normal restoration to prevent infection.