Early detection of breast cancer by leukocyte adherence inhibition assay.

The hematocytometer leukocyte adherence inhibition technique was used to study cell-mediated immune activity against breast carcinoma. In a group of 83 patients with untreated breast cancer in stage I, 74% showed a positive response, among 47 patients in stage II, 64% responded, while only 51% of the 37 patients in stages III and IV responded. Of 86 control persons, only two women showed a positive response. In a group of 296 women with benign breast disease, 21% showed a positive reaction against breast carcinoma antigen. The percentage of positive responses was higher than the average among women with risk factors such as: mother or sister with breast cancer, previous removal of benign breast lumps, microcalcifications, and increased intraductal epithelial proliferation found in the biopsies. Women with benign breast disease having two or more of the above risk factors were assigned to the high risk group. Of 49 women in this group, 47% had reactive leukocytes. Ninety-two women had only one risk factor, and 27% of those showed a positive reaction. Of the 155 women with none of the risk factors, only 10% had a positive reaction. The results suggest that leukocyte adherence inhibition test may be used to identify groups of women with an increased possibility of developing breast cancer.