[The possible evaluation of immunity with the DNCB skin test in relation to blast transformation of lymphocytes].

55 patients with various types of malignant neoplasias at different stages were given DNCB skin tests in the Oncological Department of the S. Paolo Hospital in Savona. Lymphocyte blastisation was evaluated both before and after the skin test. In about 75% of the patients it was observed that DNCB sensitisation increased lymphocyte blastisation capacity independently of the level of reaction to the skin test, the type of neoplasia or the patients' age. Indeed increased blatisation was more noticeable in non-responsive DNCB. The hypothesis is advanced that DNCB has the capacity indirectly to stimulate blastisation by unknown mechanisms.