Cell-mediated immunity to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 antigens in leukoplakia and carcinoma in man.

Cell-mediated immune responses to herpes simplex virus 1 and type 2 virion and non-virion antigens were assessed in patients and in controls with oral leukoplakia, carcinoma and recurrent herpes labialis. Enhanced proliferation was found in lymphocytes from patients with recurrent herpes labialis or with leukoplakia showing epithelial atypia, and depressed responses were found in carcinoma. Very significantly positive correlations were shown between the responses to each of the herpes virus antigens. A specific increase in cell-mediated immunity to herpes virus in epithelial atypia was confirmed, but separation of the nonvirion from virion antigen is necessary before specific cell-mediated immune responses to the non-virion antigen can be assessed.