[Immune reactivity in colorectal cancer--clinical value from a surgical viewpoint]

Specificity of cellular immunity was verified by the cell migration inhibition test in 36 patients with colorectal cancer and 15 with colorectal adenomas. The electrophoretic mobility test is considered as an indirect method for demonstrating cellular immunity against malignant tumors. Soluble potassium chloride tumor extracts from various human carcinomas were used as antigens. In 31 of 36 tumor patients, a specific lymphocytic sensitization against antigens of colorectal carcinomas could be shown. Lymphocytic reactions to antigens from histologically different tumors (cross-reactions) were weaker or negative. This reaction, verified for carcinomas, was also noted in cases with precancerous lesions. Measurements in 54 healthy control persons with the same antigenic substances showed negative results in 48 cases. Acute inflammatory lesions of the colon reduce the reliability of the test.