[Mixed organ culture as new possibility for study of cellular immune phenomena according to Krebs]

A method for the detection of cellular tumor-versus-host relations is described, which consist in cultivating human tumor material together with autologous lymphocytes in one organ system and in determinating tumor and lymphocyte DNA synthesis separately before and after mixed organ culture. Advantages and disadvantages of this method are discussed. 58 human tumors were investigated (40 mammary, 13 gastric, 5 bronchial cancers). 37 tumors showed a sufficient in vitro growth. In about 50% of the mixed organ cultures, there was an increase in lymphocyte DNA synthesis compared to the controls. On the other hand, only in 9 cases a decrease in the tumor DNS synthesis could be observed under the influence of autologous lymphocytes. The investigations emphasize the individuality of the tumor-versus-host relations and lead to the consequence of a routine determination of the immune profile by a spectrum of several methods in tumor patients as a prognostic and therapeutic aid.