Vergleich tumorassoziierter zellularer und unspezifischer humoraler Immunparameter beim immunologischen Monitoring des Mammakarzinoms

Abstract

In 119 patients with breast cancer states pT1-4 N0-3 M0 the following parameters of tumor-associated cellular and unspecific humoral immunity were determined: (1) leukocyte-migration-inhibition test against preparations of the autologous and homologous tumor tissue; (2) determination of the immunosuppressive activity of the serum on the PHA-, Con A- and PWM-induced lymphocyte transformation; and (3) determination of the alpha-2 pregnancy-associated globulin (alpha-2-PAG) serum level. In both groups of lymph node negative and positive breast cancer patients, half of the patients showed a significant reaction in the LMI test in the form of a reduced or enhanced migration of the macrophages (enhancement). In lymph node negative breast cancer patients the immunosuppressive activity of the serum on the PHA- and CON A-induced lymphocyte reactivity was decreased, whereby we found a positive correlation between the immunosuppressive activity of the serum and the LMI reactivity against autologous tumor tissue. We found no differences in the alpha-2-PAG serum level between lymph node negative and positive breast cancer patients, but there were greatly increased alpha-2-PAG levels in LMI-reactive patients compared to those showing an enhancement in the LMI test. A tumor-associated cellular immunity could be shown in the LMI test in breast cancer patients, which can be correlated with other humoral immune parameters. Especially the demonstration of an immunological enhancement in the LMI test could possibly be used for the definition of high-risk groups.