Survey of immunosuppressive acidic protein and other immunological parameters in head and neck cancer patients

Abstract

AbstractSerum levels of immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and other immunological parameters were examined in 95 head and neck cancer patients and 27 control patients. The mean values of IAP in patients in the advanced stage were significantly higher than in early stage patients. Statistically significant increases in the mean concentration of IAP were also observed in patients with a recurrence, as compared to findings in those in the advanced stages. The mean values of blastogenesis response to PHA and NK cell activity in the cancer patients were lower than in disease free individuals, but with no statistical differences. In the endstage patients, the lAP concentration was considerably elevated and the blastogenesis response showed a statistically significant decrease. Thus, the monitoring of serum lAP, in combination with other immunological parameters, aids in planning and assessing clinical staging in head and neck cancer patients.