The effects of total-body hyperthermia combined with anticancer drugs on immunity in advanced cancer patients.

As total-body hyperthermia (TBHT) therapy may lead to a reduction in the immune response of cancer patients because of the immediate effect of heat on lymphocytes, the authors studied the immunity of advanced cancer patients receiving combined TBHT and anticancer chemotherapy. A decrease was found in their lymphocyte blastogenesis, skin reactions to PPD and PHA, lymphocyte rosette formation, IgG, and C3c component. These parameters returned to their pretreatment levels at 1 week after completion of TBHT therapy. This result indicates that there is no necessity for giving special consideration to a reduction of cell-mediated immunity in TBHT therapy.