Specific red cell adherence test and unspecific immune response in patients with superficial bladder cancer

ABH antigenicity and unspecific immune response were evaluated in 31 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma. 26% of these patients showed a reduced dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) reaction. There was no significant difference in the monocyte chemotaxis of patients with benign urological diseases and patients with superficial bladder cancer. However, a significant difference exists versus patients with deeply infiltrating carcinomas. 20 patients revealed a loss of ABH antigens on the initial tumor. During the follow-up of at least 1 year, patients with negative DNCB skin test, reduced monocyte chemotaxis and negative specific red cell adherence test demonstrated a high rate of recurrent tumors and in 1 of 7 a progressive tumor developed.