Immunotherapy and Human Tumor Immunology

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Abstract
Present knowledge about the immune response to tumors in man is briefly reviewed, and the effects of cancer on immune-system functions are noted. The concepts that human tumors elicit cell-mediated immune responses to tumor antigens are re-examined and modified; for example, cell-mediated immunity may be detectable only at certain stages of tumor growth. Introduction of more sensitive methods for detecting antibodies is providing additional evidence for humoral immune responses to tumor-associated antigens. The present proliminary approaches to immunotherapy, particularly the use of adjuvants such as BCG and Corynebacterium parvum, are assessed, and initial pharmacoimmunologic findings with these agents are reported. The field of tumor immunology is in a dynamic state of development, with input from many areas of immunology and oncology. Carefully controlled clinical trials of these therapeutic regimens will be required to establish the value and indications for the use of such procedures.