Immune reactivity in primary carcinoma of the lung and its relation to prognosis

Detailed studies of immune reactivity were performed in 154 patients with primary lung cancer, 20 patients with benign thoracic lesions, and 109 healthy persons. Reactions to the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin test were postive in 73 per cent of patients with lung cancer and all (100 per cent) of the patients with benign disease (p less than 0.05). The incidence of DNCB reactions was 78 per cent for Stage I and II cancers (37 patinets), 73 per cent for resectable Stage III cancer (22 patients), and 66 per cent in patients with unresectable or inoperable Stage III cancer. DNCB reactivity showed a relationship to primary histology. The incidence of DNCB positive reactions was 80 per cent in patients with epidermold carcinoma versus 57 per cent in patients with adenocarcinoma, 64 per cent in patients with oat cell cancer, and 80 per cent in patients with terminal bronchiolar carcinoma. In vitro immune studeis correlated best with stage of disease. These included the absolute lymphocyte count and absolute T cell count and lymphoxyte stimulation witalen A (Com A). These values were in the normal range in patients with Stage I cancer but were significantly depressed in patients with Stage III cancer. Svrvival curves were plotted in patients with Stage III disease according to the responses to three immune parameters: DNCB, absolute lymphocyte count, and PHS stimulation. Although patients with normal reactions generally had better survival rates, PHA responses showed the most significant correlation to survival. These tests support the usefulness of immune testing as an additional parameter of assessing biological risk in patients with primary lung cancer.