Induction of immediate cutaneous reactivity to an antigen (ascaris) in cancerous and noncancerous individuals

Abstract

1. 1. Rapid cutaneous reactivity to ascaris can be induced in atopic patients (2 to 4 weeks) and in a somewhat longer time in noncancerous, nonatopic and, also, aspirin-sensitive patients (4 to 7 weeks). 2. 2. The capacity of non-ascaris sensitive cancer patients to develop immediate cutaneous reactivity to ascaris is impaired or slow in appearing, although this can be induced after 8 to 24 weeks of immunization. 3. 3. Cancer patients with presumptive evidence of existing, though weak, ascaris sensitivity rapidly recalled in 1 or 2 weeks high levels of cutaneous reactivity, suggesting that, in this group, recall or secondary immunization is apparently unimpaired. 4. 4. A stage of delayed reactivity, in terms of time of onset after test injection, frequently preceded the onset of immediate cutaneous reactivity in many of the cancer patients being primarily immunized and also in the non-atopic, noncancerous, and aspirin-sensitive group of patients. 5. 5. The observations noted do not permit a decision as to whether they point to a pre-existing immunologic defect in the pre-cancerous patient or an alteration in the immunologic response because of the establishment of the cancerous state.