Immunity in esophageal carcinoma

In carcinoma of the esophagus, response to in vivo sensitization with recall antigens and DNCB was markedly depressed with 13% and 16% positivity respectively. Similarly, the number of T‐cells was found to be significantly low (24 ± 14) as compared to normal control (61 ± 23). Blastogenesis index with PHA was only 1.75 ± 1.04 in contrast to normal of 6.79 ± 2.57. This depression was independent of serum albumin level and body weight. Cell‐mediated immunity was further depressed following radiotherapy and did not improve following enteral alimentation for 3 weeks. In untreated patients, there was a significant rise in levels of IgA (298 ± 184 mg/100 ml) as compared to normal (154 ± 54 mg/100 ml). Levels of IgA did show a downward trend following enteral hyperalimentation. Circulating immune complexes and serum CEA level were elevated in almost 50% of patients. These data confirm the influence of tumor‐related impairment of cell‐mediated immunity while nutrition appears to affect IgA levels.