Cell-mediated immune response to basal cell carcinoma

The role of cell-mediated immunity in controlling Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) growth was studied by measuring the transformation of lymphocytes when challenged in vitro with aqueous extracts of the patients' BCCs and of control skin. Tests were carried out in the presence of autologous and heat-treated plasma. Three patients out of 8 showed significantly raised thymidine uptake ratio (TUR). Heat-treated plasma produced higher TURs, indicating the presence of an inhibitory factor.