Immunological responsiveness and adjunct immunotherapy in lung cancer.

Immunocompetency was assessed before and after the operation in 40 patients with lung cancer by skin reaction against tuberculin (PPD) and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), lymphocyte response to PHA, proportion of T-cells, macrophage migration inhibition test (MIT) and the presence of blocking factor. MIT was positive in 27 per cent and blocking factor was positive in 42 per cent. Immune response paralleled the clinical stage of the lesion. In curative resection cases, the immune response rose postoperatively, but declined in non-resectable or recurrent cases. The influence of postoperative radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy and host mediated agents on the patients was observed. The feasibility of adjuvant specific immunotherapy is discussed.