[Immunological aspects of resistance to antineoplastic chemotherapy]

In view of a more and more rational approach to cancer treatment, knowledge of the interaction between the various therapeutic modalities is essential. The present article examines the immunological behavior of tumor cell populations which survive chemotherapy. Encouragingly, a series of experimental data indicate that, when compared with their sensitive counterparts, the chemoresistant cells show equal or even increased sensitivity to various components of the immunological equipment. In every case, in a global view of the various problems associated with neoplastic disease and taking into account some established concepts, immunomodulation, the attempt to increase the host's reaction, should be applied against limited residues of neoplastic cells.