Depression of immune responsiveness in breast and large-bowel tumours as measured by heterophile antibody activity

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Abstract
Decrease in heterophile antibody activity to cow, pig, and sheep red blood-cells was found in groups of patients with large-bowel and breast tumours irrespective of the extent and spread of the tumour or the length of known history. The significance of these observations is discussed in the light of known cancer-surveillance mechanisms. The findings may reflect decreased host immunological resistance to these tumours even in the early stage of their development, and the measurement of heterophile antibody activity may provide a useful and uncomplicated screening test.
Funding Information
  • Medical Research Council