[Tissue extracts of malignant human lymphomas in the leukocyte migration test]

Water-soluble lymph node extracts and sera from 23 patients with benign and malignant lymphomas and tissue extracts from liver, spleen, kidney, and muscle of one patient without any lymphatic disease were analyzed using the direct leukocyte migration test (LMT). The leukocytes were obtained from healthy persons. 10 of the lymphomas and 3 of the tissue extracts varied the leukocyte migration. In most cases of chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis, in 2 cases of Hodgkin's disease, and in extracts of liver, spleen and muscle inhibitory effects were found. Stimulating effects could be demonstrated in 2 cases of immunocytoma and in 4 cases of Hodgkin's disease. The results indicate that in cases of stimulation the target cells might be influenced by a pathological migration inhibitory factor.