[Immunologic response in patients with melanoma of the skin]

Immunologic vigor was studied in 108 patients with skin melanoma and 20 healthy subjects by time-delayed hypersensitivity skin and leukocyte adherence inhibition tests. A correlation between changes in immune response and the clinical picture of melanoma was established. During remission immunologic indexes became stabilized in most patients. As tumor progressed, immune response deteriorated markedly, blood serum developed a blocking effect and promoted leukocyte adherence. Healthy subjects who were in close contact with melanoma, showed positive reaction in leukocyte adherence inhibition test with melanoma tissue extract.