Cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in patients with colorectal cancer: application of multi-test

A prospective study of delayed hypersensitivity was carried out in 63 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients of good nutritional status and 63 healthy controls over a period of 3 years. Delayed hypersensitivity was assessed by application of Multi-test which involves synchronous multiple puncture testing with seven antigens. Subjects were classified in three groups: Immunocompetent, Relatively anergic and Anergic. Logistic regression analysis was applied. The patients had lower mean scores for skin reactions to all tested antigens with the widest differences observed for Trichophyton. The average number of positive reactions was lower for patients than controls; there were no anergic subjects among the controls and the differences between patients and controls were statistically significant. Patients with early disease (Dukes' A and B), had lower scores for all seven antigen reactions than controls, but higher than those with advanced disease. Differences between early stage cases and controls were not statistically significant for any antigen, nor for the total number of positive reactions or the total score. In the late stages of their disease patients with CRC and without malnutrition, or any other kind of acquired immunodeficiency, have impaired cellular immunity in comparison with normal controls.