Immunocompetent for immunotherapy? A study of the immunocompetence of cervical cancer patients.

Sixty-five patients with cervical carcinoma and 17 control subjects were studied to determine immunocompetence as a prerequisite for immunotherapy using live virus vectors. T-cell immunity, measured by surface phenotype and proliferative assays, was reduced with increasing volume of invasive disease, and independent of treatment effects. Both the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets were affected so that the CD4:8 ratio remained within normal limits. In contrast B-cell number, immunoglobulins and complement were normal as were in vivo responses to a polysaccharide vaccine. Thus, determination of immunocompetence prior to use of live vector immunotherapy requires assessment of each individual subject, especially in those with advanced disease.