Cellular immune profile of patients with advanced cancer before and after taxane treatment

The purpose of this study is to determine immune recovery and function afte r treatment with docetaxel or paclitaxel. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell s were harvested before chemotherapy and at weekly times afterwards for cyc le 1. Leukocyte subsets [CD45(hi)CD14(lo) polymorphonuclear neutrophils, CD 45(hi)CD14(hi) monocytes, CD45(hi)CD14(-) lymphocytes, CD3(+)CD4/CD8(+) T c ells, CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells, CD3(-)CD16/CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells], and circulating cytokine levels [tumor necrosis factor-alpha, gamma-interf eron (gamma-IFN), and interleukins (IL-2, IL-10, IL-12)] were followed. In addition, T-cell mitogenic function, NK function, and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) function was assessed. Ten patients were entered in the trial. T-cell frequency, B-cell frequency, and CD4/CD8 ratio did not change. IL-1 0 serum levels significantly decreased in paclitaxel-treated patients (4.4 +/- 1.3 pg/ml at week 4 versus 7.8 +/- 2.1 pg/ml at baseline; p < 0.05). IL -2, IL-12, and gamma-IFN levels were not detectable. NK cytotoxic activity decreased in docetaxel-treated patients. LAK cell activity was not altered. Four patients achieved a partial or complete response. They demonstrated h igher than normal CD4:CD8 T-cell ratios and an improved phytohemagglutinin stimulation index (SI = 2.5). In conclusion, our findings suggest that immu ne function was affected more significantly after docetaxel treatment. Inve stigational approaches, which enhance cellular immunity, may be of greater relevance after treatment with docetaxel. Additional studies monitoring NK function after chemotherapy are recommended.