Title:Effect of Conventional Chemotherapies on Natural Killer Cell Activity

VOLUME: 17 ISSUE: 3

Author(s):Idris Kirhan*, Huseyin Taskiran and Ataman Gönel

Affiliation:Department of Medicinal Internal Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Department of Medicinal Internal Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Department of Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa

Keywords:NK cell activity, cancer, pre-chemotherapy, post-chemotherapy, adjuvant, metastasis.

Abstract:

Background: The effects of chemotherapeutics agents are considered to influence the immune system and cells due to their myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive functions. Natural killer cells are one of the important components of the innate immune system and have a critical role against tumor cells and infections.

Objective: The study was aimed to demonstrate whether conventional chemotherapies had an effect on Natural Killer (NK) cell activity.

Methods: Forty-nine adjuvant and 19 first-time metastatic chemotherapy-naïve cancer patients were recruited into the study. Blood samples at pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy, at 1st and 4th cycles, were obtained for NK cell activity.

Results: We found no difference between baseline and post-chemotherapy NK cell activity levels. In addition, we found no difference between pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy NK cell activity in both adjuvant and metastatic cancer patients separately.

Conclusion: Conventional chemotherapy seems to have no effect on NK cell activity levels in cancer patients in both metastatic and adjuvant settings.