Specific immunodiagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by leucocyte adherence inhibition

The leucocyte adherence inhibition test provides a rapid, reliable, and specific technique for the immunodiagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (malignant hepatoma). The patient's blood leucocytes are tested in vitro for cell-mediated immunity against tumour-associated antigens and the serum is tested for blocking factor which interferes with the immunological reaction. Specific reactivity of both leucocytes and serum was consistently detected in patients with malignant hepatoma, and negative reactions were obtained in other liver diseases including secondary tumours of the liver. The test has provided positive evidence for the presence of hepatoma when more conventional methods gave doubtful or negative results. A positive result preceded the clinical appearance of tumour by up to three years in two patients.