Cellular immunity in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

The thymus-dependent immunity of 42 patients with SCCC was evaluated by: delayed cutaneous reactions to ubiquitous antigens, DNCB sensitization, and lymphocyte response to PHA. In addition, T and B lymphocytes were detected in peripheral blood and in tumor sections, by adherence to E and HEAC. Depressed CMI was more intense in patients with disseminated disease, although a premature impairment of CMI was observed in some patients with initial-stage tumors. The absolute number of peripheral T lymphocytes showed association with both cutaneous reactions and PHA response. However, there appeared to be no significant correlation between the stage of the tumor and the pattern of adherence of E or HEAC to the biopsies.