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A search for common tumor specific antigen and serum blocking factor in head and neck epidermoid carcinomas
Abstract:
In vitro, colony inhibition tests using lymphocytes and serum from 42 patients with other carcinomas, and 12 control patients with no carcinoma, were performed using cultured target cells (CALI). Target cell colony counts were significantly diminished by lymphocytes of 2 of 12 (16.7 percent) patients with no cancer, compared with those 26 of 42 (61.9 percent) patients with epidermoid carcinoma. An unexpected finding was significant colony inhibition of lymphocytes of 23 of 27 (85.2 percent) patients tested within 24 months of diagnosis of carcinoma compared with significant inhibition in only 3 of 15 (20 percent) patients tested after 24 months of diagnosis of carcinoma. Serum blocking factor was found in 9 of 42 (21.4 percent) patients with epidermoid carcinoma. It was found on follow-up that four of these nine (44.4 percent) had later recurrent or new tumors compared to recurrence or new tumor incidence of only 6 of 33 (18.2 percent) patients with no serum blocking factor present in the serum.
Insights
Lymphocyte response in patients with epidermoid carcinoma shows significant colony inhibition, particularly within 24 months of diagnosis. Serum blocking factors correlate with higher tumor recurrence rates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cell-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in cancer surveillance.
- Assessing immune responses in cancer patients is vital for understanding disease progression and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro lymphocyte and serum immune response in patients with epidermoid carcinoma.
- To evaluate the correlation between immune markers and tumor recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Colony inhibition tests were performed using lymphocytes and serum from 42 epidermoid carcinoma patients and 12 controls.
- Cultured target cells (CALI) were used to assess lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity.
- Serum blocking factors were identified and their presence was correlated with follow-up tumor status.
Main Results:
- Lymphocytes from 61.9% of epidermoid carcinoma patients significantly inhibited target cell growth, compared to 16.7% of controls.
- Significant lymphocyte inhibition was observed in 85.2% of patients diagnosed within 24 months, versus 20% diagnosed over 24 months prior.
- Serum blocking factors were present in 21.4% of patients, and these patients showed a higher incidence of tumor recurrence (44.4%) compared to those without (18.2%).
Conclusions:
- Epidermoid carcinoma patients exhibit a diminished lymphocyte-mediated anti-tumor response.
- The timing of diagnosis significantly impacts lymphocyte immune function, with earlier stages showing greater inhibition.
- Serum blocking factors may serve as a predictive marker for tumor recurrence in epidermoid carcinoma.