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William J. Richtsmeier, MD, PhD; David Eisele, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1986;112(10):1074-1077.

Abstract
• Impaired cell-mediated immune response is commonly seen in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This immune defect has been associated with poor clinical performance. Recent evidence indicates an immunoregulatory action for cimetidine. For this reason, the effect of this medication on delayed hypersensitivity reactions in previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was studied. Patients hyporesponsive to an initial skin test battery were treated with cimetidine. A statistically significant increase in delayed hypersensitivity responses on repeated skin testing during cimetidine hydrochloride therapy was observed. Four of these patients who converted their skin tests while receiving cimetidine were again studied one to two weeks after cessation of therapy. All four returned to their precimetidine treatment status. These skin test response results suggest that histamine-mediated suppression of immune response occurs in patients with head and neck cancer. Cimetidine should be considered as an immunomodulator in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;112:1074-1077)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. Dr Richtsmeier is now with the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication May 7, 1986.

Presented in part at the Research Forum of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Atlanta, Oct 19, 1985.

Reprint requests to The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Carnegie 469, 600 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 (Dr Richtsmeier).

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