Cell-Mediated Immune Status of Breast Cancer Patients: Evaluation by Skin Tests, Lymphocyte Stimulation, and Counts of Rosette-Forming Cells23

Abstract

Women with breast cancer did not show impaired cell-mediated immunity until they were in the late stage of illness. Impairment in the late stage was demonstrated by skin tests and less clearly by lymphocyte stim ulatian with phytohemagglutinin or common antigens, but not by Iymphocyte counts or counts of rosette-forming cells. Agreement was good between skin tests and blastogenic response to common antigens.