Is there a role for immunotherapy in small cell bronchogenic carcinoma?

Abstract

Immunodepression is seen in cancer patients and is characterized by the inability to mount inflammatory reactions, delayed hypersensitivity, lymphocyte blastogenesis in response to lectins, etc.; it may result from various mechanisms. It has been said, for example, that cachexia due to a large tumor burden might depress immune reactions, but this cannot explain the immune depression seen in early cases. On the other hand, iatrogenic or congenital immunodepression may significantly increase cancer incidence. But the most likely and most frequent mechanism is related to the adverse effect on the immune status of the host of the tumor itself. More specifically, it may be speculated that successful spontaneous tumors are precisely the ones that are able to manipulate host immunity to their own advantage.KeywordsSmall Cell CarcinomaProc ASCOLarge Tumor BurdenLymphocyte BlastogenesisIncrease Cancer IncidenceThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.