Serological response patterns to herpes virus type 2 early and late antigens in cervical carcinoma patients
Heise, E.R.; Kucera, L.S.; Raben, M.; Homesley, H.
Cancer Research 39(10): 4022-4026
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 225014 Document Number: 143426
The frequency of antibodies to herpesvirus type 2 early antigen (AG-4) is significantly greater in women with carcinoma of the cervix than in matched cancer controls. The present study was designed to determine whether AG-4 seronegativity in a minority of women with cervical carcinoma is dependent on time or method of treatment and whether or not the serological profile is correlated with prognosis. Anti-AG-4 complement-fixing antibodies were assayed in 34 newly diagnosed cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix prior to therapy, 1 mo. after treatment and at 3 mo. intervals. Clinical outcome was evaluated after 22-47 mo. (mean, 36.4 mo.). Fifteen cases were AG-4 antibody positive at presentation and during the follow-up period (seropositive group). Eleven patients were seronegative at presentation and developed AG-4 antibodies after radiation and/or surgical treatment (seroconversion group). Eight patients lacked AG-4 antibodies at all sample times (seronegative group). The progression-free rate in the 3 groups was as follows: seropositive, 94%; seroconversion, 73%; and seronegative, 38%. In a subgroup of 23 patients treated with radiation only, the progression-free rates were: seropositive, 100%; seroconversion, 63%; and seronegative, 33%. AG-4 seronegative status was not related to clinical stage at presentation, tumor size at presentation, lack of antibodies to late herpesvirus type 2 antigens, or to T[thymus-derived]-lymphocytopenia. Herpes virus type 2 AG-4 seronegativity in the minority of cervical cancer patients may not depend on the time of sampling. Seropositivity may have a favorable prognostic significance.