Immunological responsiveness in patients with bladder cancer
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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Abstract:
Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests, especially skin tests with dinitrochlorobenzene, are impaired increasingly as the amount of tumor increases. Recall antigens are less sensitive indicators of disease. Therapy, especially radiotherapy, also depresses cell-mediated immunity. Removal of tumor, however, allows these tests to return to normal. Dinitrochlorobenzene skin testing can contribute significantly to prognostic evaluation. An important facet of the tumor-host relationship is measured, and this reflects factors that are independent of tumor staging. Combination of tumor staging and dinitrochlorobenzene-delayed hypersensitivity testing can provide a strong indication of the clinical course, especially for the year following initial treatment of invasive or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
Insights
Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests, like dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) testing, indicate tumor burden and immune status. DNCB testing aids prognosis for bladder cancer, independent of tumor stage.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cell-mediated immunity is crucial in cancer immunosurveillance.
- Tumor burden and cancer therapies can impair immune responses.
- Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) tests assess immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of DCH tests, specifically dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin testing, in assessing the tumor-host relationship.
- To determine if DCH testing can provide prognostic information independent of tumor staging.
- To assess the impact of tumor burden and therapy on DCH test results.
Main Methods:
- Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin testing was performed.
- Results were correlated with tumor burden, therapy (radiotherapy), and tumor staging.
- Recall antigen tests were used as secondary indicators.
Main Results:
- DCH test responsiveness, particularly DNCB, decreased with increasing tumor burden.
- Radiotherapy further suppressed cell-mediated immunity.
- Tumor removal led to normalization of DCH test results.
- DNCB skin testing demonstrated prognostic value independent of tumor stage.
Conclusions:
- Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin testing is a valuable tool for assessing the tumor-host interaction.
- Combining DNCB testing with tumor staging improves prognostic accuracy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
- This immune assessment offers insights into clinical course beyond traditional staging.
