In vitro assessment of cell-mediated immunity in patients with renal cell carcinoma

We evaluated 25 patients with renal cell carcinoma for cell-mediated immunity using the microtoxicity assay. Normal controls frequently exhibited significant cell inhibition. The mean percentage cell inhibition in patients after nephrectomy was significantly higher than in patients before nephrectomy and significantly higher than normal male subjects. No other correlation was found with respect to the stage of the disease. The incidence of significant autoblocking activity was noted more commonly in patients after nephrectomy than in patients before nephrectomy.