Active specific and active non-specific immunotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma

Patients in clinical stage I-III of malignant melanoma were treated after resection of the tumor mass with membrane extracts of autologous tumor tissue and BCG or BCG alone. They were monitored immunologically by delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, i.e. skin tests with recall antigens, with autologous tumor membrane extracts and 2-4Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The lymphocyte reactivity was assessed in vitro with direct lymphocyte migration inhibition assay; purified tuberculin and autologous or allogeneic tumor extracts were used as antigens. In this study, which includes 50 patients up to now, it could be demonstrated that it is possible to increase tumor-specific and general immune reactivity by this form of treatment.