The cytolysis of human neuroblastoma cells by a natural IgM 'antibody'-complement system in pregnancy serum.

Cell lines from 26 human cancers were studied for cytotoxicity when treated with normal pregnancy serum. Cytotoxicity manifested by cell death and cytolysis, occurred in 4 of 8 neuroblastomas studied: SK-N-SH, NGP, LAN-5, and IMR-32. In NGP and SK-N-SH, evidence is presented showing that the cytotoxicity resulted from the cell-surface binding of a natural IgM 'antibody', which sensitized the neuroblastoma cells to the lytic action of complement (C). This system may be involved in a cytolytic form of spontaneous regression of neuroblastoma.