Assessment of Cellular Immune Response to Cancer of the Breast

Cellular immune competence and cell-m ediated imm unity to tumor anti gens have been studied in patients with breast cancer. Some patients have been shown to have depressed lymphoproliferative responses to phyto hem agglutinin and in mixed leukocyte culture. In some cases, this depres sion appeared attributable to suppressor cells. Many patients with breast cancer had a cellular immunity to extracts of autologous or allogeneic tumors, as detected by lymphoproliferation and leukocyte m igration inhibition assays. In addition, some breast cancer patients reacted to antigens associated with murine mammary tumor virus. Some of the tests for cellular imm unity have revealed correlations with clinical course and, therefore, may be of use in the m anagem ent of patients with breast cancer