Experimental induction of tumor growth control by immune adjuvants: current status and some theories to be explored

Immune adjuvants have been shown to induce tumor growth control in many experimental tumor-host models. The beneficial effect depends on tumor size and type and dose of the adjuvants in question, but few experimental data elucidate, which immunological mechanisms--if any--that are directly involved in the tumor destructive processes induced by immuno-adjuvants. The importance of non-specific tumor immunity is discussed with emphasize on the importance of immuno-competent cells that react non-specifically, and that may include "self-directed" cells. Non-immunological mechanisms are proposed also to be of importance, underlining the possible role of the phenomenon of spontaneous reversion of malignant cells to a non-malignant state. It is finally stressed that both immunologic and non-immunologic properties of immunoadjuvant induced tumor growth control must be analysed before therapy with immunoadjuvants can be optimally applicated in the cancer patient.