HUMORAL IMMUNITY IN PATIENTS WITH CARCINOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX - EFFECTS OF RADIATION-THERAPY

The parameters of nonspecific immunity-serum immunoglobulins and immun e complexes-were evaluated in patients with carcinoma of the uterine c ervix (Stages IIB and IIIB) prior to, during and immediately after pel vic irradiation. In untreated patients, significantly elevated circula ting IgA was found only in patients in Stage IIIB; serum IgG and IgM i n both groups did not differ from control values. The level of circula ting immune complexes in both groups was higher than in controls. Radi otherapy did not affect significantly any of the parameters examined, only the percentage of patients with elevated concentrations of IgA an d IgG decreased during the treatment. These results showed that fracti onated pelvic irradiation did not affect B cell function, these cells being more radioresistant than other lymphocyte subpopulations.