A rapid assay for stimulation of human lymphocytes by tumor-associated antigens

Lymphocyte-stimulated protein synthesis (SPS) in response to human tumor-associated antigens was assessed by measuring [3H]leucine incorporation. Correlation of SPS with other in vivo and in vitro response was demonstrated by immunizing normal subjects with keyhole limpet hemocyanin and testing sequentially frozen lymphocytes and serum samples. One week after immunization, lymphocytes from normal subjects demonstrated increased SPS to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. This correlated with the appearance of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity responses and preceded detection of hemagglutinating antibodies and increases in lymphocyte [3H]thymidine incorporation. There was no difference in the reactivity of fresh and viable frozen lymphocytes, and as few as 5X 10(5) lymphocytes/microtiter plate well could be used. Tumor-associated antigens were prepared from four lung carcinomas, six sarcomas, and six melanomas, using 3 M KCI extraction. Lymphocyte responses to both autologous and allogeneic tumor extracts were observed. Five of 15 patients demonstrated significant SPS to autologous tumor antigens. Fourteen of 20 lung cancer patients responded to lung cancer antigen, whereas only 11 of 41 patients with other tumors and 3 of 19 normal subjects reacted. Significantly, more lung cancer patients reacted to the tumor extract than to an extract of uninvolved lung from the same patient. Twenty-one of 42 melanoma patients responded to melanoma antigen. Ten of 33 patients with other tumors and 3 of 24 normal subjects reacted to the melanoma extract. Eight of 30 melanoma patients reacted to an extract of muscle from the same donor as was the melanoma antigen. Tumor-associated antigenic activity of 3 M KCI extracts can therefore be detected by measuring lymphocyte [3h]leucine incorporation.