CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE-RESPONSE OF PATIENTS WITH MENINGIOMAS DEFINED INVITRO BY A [H-3]PROLINE MICROCYTOTOXICITY TEST

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (2) , 310-316
Abstract
Cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CTX) of meningioma patients was assessed postoperatively by a [3H]proline microcytotoxicity test. Autologous and allogeneic tumor cells were used for prelabeling with isotope, and peripheral blood lymphocytes were added in a ratio of 200:1. After 60 h the plates were washed and residual CMP [counts per minute] were counted. Control target cells consisted of normal skin fibroblasts. CTX was calculated in percentage reduction compared to cultures incubated with control lymphocytes. Specific CTX on meningioma cells (i.e., not destroying control cells) greater than 20% was considered positive if significant at P < 0.05. Fifteen of 23 meningiomas showed specific CTX (65%). Among 8 CNS tumors of different type and 13 nonmalignant diseases and normals, only 3 (14%) were specifically cytotoxic for meningioma cells. A cross reaction could be demonstrated between autologous and allogeneic meningioma target cells. No activity of lymphocytes from patients with meningiomas on glioblastoma cells and fetal brain tissue could be found at the ratio used for evaluation. Evidence is presented indicating that a cellular immune response, as measured in the microcytotoxic test, may be dependent on a residual or recurrent tumor in the body.