The role of T lymphocytes in the immunotherapy of tumours.

The interactions of tumour cells with membrane molecules of T-cell subsets, as well as methods directed towards the enhancement of antitumour immunity, are reviewed in this paper. Special attention is given to the cytotoxic function of lymphokine-activated tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, to tumour-specific suppressor T cells, and to various causes of decreased expression of histocompatibility antigens on the surface of tumour cells. The different mechanisms underlying selective antitumour immunodeficiencies and possible approaches to the correction of immunodeficiency, to the enhancement of tumour immunogenicity, and to specific immunotherapy are considered in more detail.