Immunological reactivity in the lymph nodes of the host following experimental cancer immunotherapy utilizing polymerized autologous tumor tissue particles.

The effects of the specific active cancer immunotherapy utilizing autologous tumor tissue particles polymerized with ethylchlorformiate on the immune system of the host were evaluated in DBA/2 mice bearing a malignant mast cell tumor, mastocytoma (P-815 X 2), with the special emphasis placed on the morphologic changes in the lymph nodes. In assessing the lymph node morphology in relation to the immunologically reactive lymphocyte populations (T- and B-cells), the standardized reporting system was employed, and the post-capillary venule score (PCV-S), shown to be related to the T-cell activity, was calculated for each lymph node. The specific cancer immunotherapy instituted along with the PPD tuberculin as adjuvant was capable of reverting to a considerable degree the profound depletion of the T-cell population in the paracortex of the lymph nodes, as well as exerting a stimulatory influence on the B-cells responsible for antibody synthesis in the cortex and medulla of the nodes. The results were interpreted to favor the view that the favorable influence on the tumor rejection previously shown to be exerted by the specific immunotherapy technique studied, most probably is attributable to the observed stimulatory effects of it on the lymphocyte populations involved in cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. The appropriate cooperation of both T- and B-lymphocytes is most probably needed to ensure the most effective host response against the tumor cells in this system.