[New approaches in evaluating the antitumor immune response in breast cancer]

Different classes of antibodies to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and immunogenicity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were investigated in breast cancer patients versus course. Prior to treatment, the levels of IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies to PAHs were 5.9, 7.7 and 32.5%, respectively. In cases of tumor regression, they were 13.8, 25.0 and 19.2%, while in those of progression-2.4, 2.8 and 12.8%, respectively. The immunogenicity of CEA, i.e. the power of forming circulating immune complexes, appeared to be higher in cases of tumor regression than in those of progression. CEA concentration in immune complexes exceeding 5ng/ml was observed in 24.0 and 15.1% of cases, respectively, while in whole serum, the concentration in excess of 10 ng/ml was in 8.0 and 42.4%, respectively.