Immunologic defects in lung cancer patients.

Ninety-three patients with lung cancer were evaluated by delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity testing. Twenty-eight of these patients were evaluated by in vitro lymphocyte function. Thirty-three patients were evaluated prior to surgery and defects in the immune response were closely associated with unresectable disease. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate an antigen recognition defect in the cellular immune mechanisms of these patients. Preliminary studies suggest that the immunopotentiating agent Levamisole may be able to augment this defective cellular immunity in patients with lung cancer.