The cell-mediated immunity in patients with malignant melanoma

Cellular immunity in 22 patients with malignant melanoma and the blocking effect of their sera was followed by means of the leukocyte migration inhibition test. The migration of peripheral leukocytes from malignant melanoma patients was significantly inhibited in the presence of malignant melanoma antigen in 50% of examined patients and only in 2 cases in controls. The blocking activity of serum on migration inhibition was observed in 3 melanoma patients. From the results of the tests performed related to the two-years-course of the disease the conclusion may be drawn that the prognosis in patients with proved cellular hypersensitivity to malignant melanoma antigen is more favorable than in anergic individuals.