Cancer prognosis predicted by preoperative lymphocyte responsiveness in vitro

The prognosis in cancer patients was studied in relation to their preoperative cell-mediated immune status. Thirty patients with various types of operable cancer were studied. Transformation of the lymphocytes in response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in vitro was measured preoperatively. All the patients were followed up for 3 years. Those with normal preoperative lymphocyte responsiveness had a far better prognosis than those in whom this test was subnormal.