Microinvasive Nd : YAG laser therapy of early glottic carcinoma and its effect on soluble interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-2, and natural killer cells

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of microinvasive Nd:YAG laser t herapy in human glottic Tis and TI carcinomas, as well as its effect on the cellular immune function of the tumor-bearing hosts. Study Design: We trea ted 34 patients with microinvasive Nd:YAG laser therapy and evaluated its e ffect on the cellular immune function of the host. Methods: Thirty-four pat ients with glottic Tis or T1 squamous cell carcinoma were treated with fibe roptic laryngoscopic Nd: YAG laser surgery. Both before and after therapy, serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R) and interleukin-2 ( IL-2), as well as natural killer (NK) cell activity, were determined by mea ns of double-antibody sandwich technique, tritiated thymidine-deoxyribonucl eoside incorporation, and iodine 125-uridine-deoxyribonucleoside release te chnique, respectively. Results. All 34 patients tolerated the procedure wel l. A 3- to 7-year follow-up in a subgroup of 27 patients resulted in an est imated cure rate of 85.2% (23 of 27 patients). In all 27 patients with a re gular follow-up, a subjective improvement of phonation was noted after ther apy to various degrees. In 74% (20 of 27 patients), voice and speech subjec tively recovered to almost normal levels. The post-therapy serum levels of SIL-2R were significantly declined (P < .001), whereas those of IL-2 and th e NK activity were significantly elevated (P < .001) as compared with those detected before therapy. Conclusions. Therapy with fiberoptic laryngoscopi c Nd:YAG laser surgery is simple, safe, effective and only minimally invasi ve for patients with glottic Tis or T1 carcinoma. At the same time, it has an immunoenhancing effect on its host.