[Immunologic studies in polymyositis syndromes]

Sixteen cases of polymyositis were submitted to study. Out of these sixteen, nine showed no clinical or paraclinical evidences of cancer, and seven presented an associated cancer. In the first group, a normal immune response was observed, whereas in the second group this response was frankly depressed. Emphasis is laid on the significance of the immune response, not only in the diagnosis but as a fundamental factor in prognosis and treatment as well. An early treatment of polymyositis without cancer proved to be satisfactory. On the other hand, when a neoplasm was present, the course of the disease was satisfactorily modified only after the extirpation of the neoplasm.