Impaired Immune Function in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Bone Cancer

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells undergo quantitative and functional changes after oncological surgery. Patients and Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, the count and function of NK cells from patients with malignant bone tumors were assessed only days 1, 3, 5 and during first postoperative visit, and compared with preoperative values. The serum concentrations of interleukins (IL)-2, -4 and -6 were also measured before and after surgery. Results: Complete clinical and laboratory data were analyzed from 17 patients with different bone malignancies. The number of NK cells significantly decreased postoperatively as well as their function. The maximum deterioration in their function occurred 5 days postoperatively. The serum concentrations of IL-2 and IL-4 did not change perioperatively. In contrast, a significant increase in the concentrations of IL-6 was observed on day 1, 3 and 5 postoperatively. Conclusion: A significant inflammatory response and innate immune suppression occurred after surgery for malignant bone tumors.