GENERAL IMMUNOCOMPETENCE AND TUMOUR-DIRECTED, CELL-MEDIATED HYPERSENSITIVITY IN VITRO IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Patients (13) with renal carcinoma were examined for tumor-directed, cell-mediated hypersensitivity (TCMH) by means of the leukocyte migration technique, and for general immunocompetence (GIC) by means of quantitation of T[thymus-derived]- and B[bone marrow-derived]-cells in peripheral blood and studies of lymphocyte transformation in vitro using a panel of antigens [Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans extract, purified protein derivative] and mitogens. Eight out of 13 patients had evidence of TCMH, 6 out of 13 had abnormal GIC. Any correlation between the presence of TCMH and normal/abnormal GIC was not found. There was a trend towards a positive correlation between the absence of distant metastases and evidence of TCMH. If TCMH and GIC were considered, significant correlation between the presence of distant metastases, lack of TCMH and/or abnormal GIC was demonstrated. The defect of TCMH usually found in patients with renal carcinoma and disseminated disease cannot be explained exclusively by defects in GIC.