LOW NK ACTIVITY AS UNFAVORABLE PROGNOSTIC MARKER IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CANCER

The increased incidence of neoplasias with aging is related by many Au thors to impaired function of the immune system, above all T and B lym phocites. Thus, the NK activity, which appears preserved or even augme nted in the aged subjects, could play a basic role in oncological geri atric diseases. Many studies have found reduced NK activity in advance d cancer and low NK activity related to poor prognosis in young adults . We have investigated NK activity level as a prognostic marker in age d patients with cancer. 48 patients, mean age 79, (range 71-87), 28 ma les and 20 females, have been studied: 22 with localized disease (grou p B), 26 with evidence of metastatic disease (group A). Group A showed a statistically significant reduction of NK activity in comparison to group B and this correlate with mortality. We conclude that low NK ac tivity, whether is a cause or an effect of neoplasia, is an useful mar ker of unfavorable prognosis in oncological aged patients.