All issues > Volume 32(7); 1989

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1989;32(7):933-942. Published online July 31, 1989.

Change of NK Cell and LAK Cell Activity of Cancer Patients in Postchemotherapy Period.

Chong Sung Chung¹, Kyuchul Choeh¹, Yong Mook Choi¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

Received: November 2, 1988;  Accepted: December 16, 1988.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the Natueral-Killer (NK) cell and Lymphokine-Activated-Killer (LAK) cell activity of cancer patients for the prupose of understanding of spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity (SCMC) in cancer patients and understanding of interrelationship between NK cell and LAK cell. Total 9 cases of malignant tumor (7 cases: Acute leukemia, 2 cases: malignant lymphoma) below 15 years of age, who were on remission stage and had completed antineoplastic combination chemotherapy, were evaluated at constant interval from the end of chemotherapy. The results were as follows; 1) The NK cell activity of cancer patients was lower than that of control immediately after the end of antineoplas- tic combination chemotherapy, the former was 32.13± 15.28% and the latter was 45.89±10.22%. (P<0.05) 2) The NK cell activity of cancer patients increased significantly after 12 months of period form the end of chemotherapy. (P<0.05) 3) The LAK cell activity of cancer patients were not influenced by tumor immunity or immunosuppressive agents, and so no significant change at any time.

Keywords :NK cell activity, LAK cell activity, Cancer