[Immunotherapy in bronchial carcinoma]

In bronchogenic carcinoma the clinical trials performed with nonspecific immune stimulation, either in its systemic or local form, suggest that in patients with early manifestations (e.g. adjuvant therapy after operation) the time of relapse may be delayed. A similar effect is perhaps obtained in studies employing tumor antigen preparations. Whether the cure rate is increased is questionable at this time. These rather disappointing results should induce us to consider other approaches to tumor immunotherapy. Results obtained in small cell bronchogenic carcinoma suggest that a manipulation of humoral immunity (e.g. by influencing circulating immune complexes) may be an additional therapeutic concept.