Lymphocyte and granulocyte cytotoxic antibodies in cancer patients.

Sera from cancer patients showed lymphocyte and granulocyte cytotoxic antibodies. While lymphocytotoxic antibodies correlated with the HLA system, it was not possible to demonstrate any correlation between the granulocytotoxicity and the HLA antigens. The experiments with 2 ME reduction were consistent with the presence of IgM antibodies in the majority of positive sera tested by the lymphocytotoxic method. The discussion concerning the mechanism of formation of these antibodies was only speculative. Some relationships between tumor neoantigens and the MHC were referred, but the role played by cytotoxins in the host-defence mechanism need further clarification.