Systemic Immune Activation and Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes during Primary Chemotherapy with the Combination of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel in Patients with Breast Carcinoma

In recent years, there has been interest in the study of alterations of the immune system of breast carcinoma patients undergoing primary chemotherapy. Changes in the phenotype, function of peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as alterations in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines accompanying the administration of primary chemotherapy have been described. We have investigated urinary neopterin and peripheral blood leukocyte phenotype in 44 breast carcinoma patients treated with the combination of doxorubicin and paclitaxel.