Decrease of immunity associated with aging and the significance of immune activation in lung cancer patients.

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The problems of decreased immunity in the elderly and the significance of immunity activation in the surgical treatment of lung cancer were examined in 353 patients with primary carcinoma of the lung. The number those with delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to PPD, Candida and SK/SD decreased with age and a significant difference was observed in the reaction to SK/SD antigen between those under 60 years of age and those 60 to 69 years of age and especially those 70 years old or older.<BR>Respiratory system complications were significantly more common in patients over 70 years old with negative SK/SD reactions. A negative SK/SD delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction is a useful predictor of postoperative respiratory system complications in the elderly patients with lung cancer. It is also related to a lower survival rate of older patients with stage III lung cancer. Treatment with transfer factor raised their survival rate significantly.<BR>In conclusion, improvement of the results of surgical treatment can be achieved by restoring or activating the immune state not only preoperatively but also postoperatively in aged patients with lung cancer.