Lymphocytes infiltrating human breast cancers lack K-cell activity and show low levels of NK-cell activity

Abstract

Lymphocytes infiltrating human primary mammary carcinomas lack ADCC and show low levels of natural cytotoxicity. The peripheral blood lymphocytes, however, show a variable but prominent level of cytotoxicity. Lymphocyte preparations from breast tumours, when mixed with autologous blood lymphocytes, significantly suppress their prominent killer- (K- and NK-) cell activities.