Serum immunoglobulin levels in cancer patients IV. The influence of therapy on the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM.

The levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) were measured in the blood serum of 232 patients with malignant diseases subjected to therapy with irradiation, cytostatic drugs, hormones and active immunotherapy. The values of two samples were compared before and after therapy. The local irradiation with usual doses and technique did not significantly influence the Ig levels. On the contrary, the levels of all three Ig classes decreased after chemotherapy, but only the IgG decrease was significant. A rise of Ig followed active immunotherapy and hormonal therapy but these changes were not significant.