Immunology of bronchial carcinoma

Abstract

The authors review the immunological aspects of carcinoma of the bronchus. New antigens are present on the surface of bronchial carcinoma cells. The patient has an impaired cellular response to these new antigens. This impairment may be due to the soluble neoplastic antigens, or to antibodies produced by the host, or to antigen antibody complexes. In certain experimental animals, established tumours can be made to regress by means of various therapeutic measures. In other laboratory models the formation of metastases can be prevented. There is evidence that non specific active immunization can improve survival of the bronchial carcinoma patient with a minimal residual tumour load. It would be of interest to see if the survival of such a patient could be improved further by combining non specific and specific active immunization procedures.