[Methyl heptine carbonate skin test in lung cancer--correlation with stage and prognosis]

Results of methyl heptine carbonate skin tests were compared with DNCB skin test results in 155 patients with chest diseases. Reactions to methyl heptine carbonate and DNCB were similar in 142 of 155 patients (92%). Forty-two lung cancer patients and 42 control patients were tested for their reactions to methyl heptine carbonate. The reactions were positive in 52% of the lung cancer patients and in 98% of the controls (p less than 0.01). The incidence of methyl heptine carbonate reactions decreased as the lung cancer stage advanced. The 6-month mortality rate was 10% in nonresponders compared to 77% in responders to methyl heptine carbonate (p less than 0.01). This study shows that reactions to methyl heptine carbonate correlate with tumor stage and prognosis in lung cancer.