Related Experiment Videos
Bronchogenic carcinoma: immunologic aspects
1Division of Thoracic Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Host immune function significantly impacts lung cancer progression. Research explores immune cell roles and potential immunotherapies for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), offering new treatment avenues.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Host immune function influences lung cancer behavior.
- Non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are infiltrated by lymphocytes, indicating immune system involvement.
- Tumor cells express surface antigens, making them potential targets for immune recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the accumulating evidence on host immunologic function in lung cancer.
- To explore the mechanisms by which the host defense mechanism may fail to control tumor growth.
- To highlight the potential of immunobiologic treatment modalities for lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on immunology and lung cancer.
- Analysis of studies involving natural killer (NK) cell activity and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell function.
- Examination of research on tumor-secreted immunomodulating factors and monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal antibodies confirm the presence of surface antigens on lung cancer cells, suggesting immune vulnerability.
- Potential failures in host defense include reduced NK cell activity, inadequate LAK cell function, or tumor immunomodulation.
- New monoclonal antibodies enhance immunohistopathologic analyses of pulmonary specimens.
- Established links exist between immune function and prognosis in lung cancer patients.
Conclusions:
- Basic immunologic research in lung cancer is paving the way for clinical applications.
- Immunobiologic treatments, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, interleukin-2, and tumor vaccines, show promise for lung cancer patients.