Immunological reactivity to soluble tumour extracts (STE) in gastrointestinal tumours and related risk groups

One of the mose important demands on tumour diagnosis is the detection of early and recurring cancer. Recently, immunological tests have revealed possibilities of meeting these expectations. By means of the leukocyte adherence inhibition test (LAI) as tube test we investigated the immunoreactivity of leukocytes of leukocytes to STE in patients with colonic and gastric carcinoma, and the risk groups of Biermer's disease and colonic polyps. As control groups we used 30 blood donors and 37 patients with non malignant colonic diseases. The detection of autoantibodies with the indirect immunofluorescence technique and immune complexes supplemented the immunological investigations. The LAI and STE used are suitable for the diagnosis of gastric and colonic cancer with a rate of accuracy of more than 90 per cent. In the risk groups of colonic polyps the LAI offers a good possibility of detecting early carcinomas, and of monitoring the successful removal of polyps. Problems of autoimmunity in Biermer's disease and colitis ulcerosa do not allow a definite decision regarding a malignant stage in LAI positive patients.