[The influence on PHA-stimulation by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in vitro in patients with Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)].

Adherent mononuclear cells may have suppressor functions mediated by prostaglandins (PG). In the present study we tested a large number of normal donors and patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) using PHA and the prostaglandin inhibitor indomethacin (IM). Stimulation of mononuclear cells from 24 healthy volunteers with PHA led to a mean response of 27 833 cpm; addition of IM caused a 32% increase of 3H-thymidine incorporation. The corresponding values for 30 patients with HD stages IIA-IVB were 14,064 cpm and 70% increase with IM. The effect of the drug was much more pronounced during relapse or progression than in untreated patients. There was an inverse relationship between PHA-response and per cent increase both in normal donors and Hodgkin patients. Depletion of adherent cells using Sephadex G-10 columns abolished the effect of IM completely, but PHA-stimulation was also slightly depressed. Our failure to observe an increase of the mitogen response after removal of monocytes may be related to the technique employed. However, an additional defect of Hodgkin lymphocytes must be considered.