To investigate the cell-mediated immune response to brain tumors, we obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 51 patients with brain tumors, including 32 benign tumors and 19 malignant tumors, Additional samples form 20 normal people were
studied for control. Three parameters, CD4/CD8 ratio. Proliferation response to mitogenic lectin in vitro and NK cell activity, were applied to evaluate the immunocompetence. The immunocompetence prior to surgery in the patients with brain tumors
was
reduced to 67 to 83 percent of the normal control. The immunocompetence after surgery was rather increased in 40 to 46 percent of patients with brain tumors, most of whom have the benign tumors. The immunocompetence after radiation therapy was
reduced
in 75 percent of the patients with brain tumors. In summary, the patients with brain tumors have the impaired cellular immune response and the degree of impairment may estimate prognosis and facilitate the design of the treatment regimens for
individual
patients.
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