Accumulation of natural killer cells after hepatic artery embolisation in the midgut carcinoid syndrome

Br J Cancer. 1995 Mar;71(3):617-8. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1995.120.

Abstract

Eleven patients with disseminated midgut carcinoid tumour disease were subjected to hepatic artery embolisation. In six patients, lymphocytosis with a predominance of NK cells occurred and the cytotoxic activity of isolated lymphocytes increased. A relation between NK cell accumulation and subsequent radiological and biochemical response was observed, and it is suggested that anti-tumour mechanisms other than ischaemia may contribute to the therapeutic response in these patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Hepatic Artery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / immunology
  • Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / pathology*
  • Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / therapy*
  • Phenotype