Alternation of the cellular immunity of patients with head and neck carcinomas under chemotherapy

: In 20 cases of head and neck carcinomas, we have studied the immunological alternation by combined chemotherapy with Cisplatin, Vincristine, and Peplomycin (COP therapy). After COP therapy, the number of peripheral lymphocytes decreased, but the OKT4/8 ratio, the PHA-blastogenesis and the positive rate of skin tests increased. The cellular immunity was distinctly augmented by COP therapy. When compared with results from radiation therapy and operation. This augmentation was suspected to have been caused by the suppressive change of the suppressor T cells.