Cell-mediated immune response in head and neck cancer patients.

The immune reactivity of 100 head and neck cancer patients was studied by means of DNCB, candidine, blastic transformation with PHA, and lymphocyte counts. DNCB reactivity was strong in only 21% of the population and was found impaired in patients with advanced primitive tumors, with more than one primitive tumor, and in patients after radiation. Candidine reactivity was impaired in bigger primitive tumors, positive nodes, and advanced stages, as well as in postradiation patients. Blastic transformation was significantly worse in patients over 70 years and tended to be lower in patients with more than one primitive tumor. Good blastic transformation was also lowered in postradiation patients.