Natural killer cell numbers and cytotoxic activity in pediatric Hodgkin disease

In this study peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cell activity was evalua ted in 17 pediatric cases with Hodgkin disease (HD) (9 untreated, 8 in remi ssion) and 20 age-matched healthy children. Peripheral Blood CD16 and CD56 molecule expressions were also examined. No difference related to NK cell n umbers and cytotoxic activity was detected at either stage of the disease. In cases in which long-term remission has been achieved (greater than or eq ual to 5 years) NK cell activity was slightly but not significantly increas ed in parallel with remission duration. Finally, no relation between NK cel l activity and the etiology, prognosis, and severity of the disease has Bee n established in children with HD.