Immunosuppressive effect of radiotherapy on patients with lung cancer.

The immunoglobulins A, E, G and M of 25 patients with lung cancer were determined (by radial immunodiffusion) before, during and after radiotherapy. No significant change in any immunoglobulin were noticed overall. In the group with a poor prognosis (survival less than 12 months; 15 patients), there was a significant decrease of IgA and IgM one month after the irradiation. In the group of patients with pulmonary infection (14 patients), the level of IgA, IgG and IgM were lower than in the group without infection throughout the examination period. Cellular immunity measured by the PPD skin test, showed no significant differences between the groups by survival.