Immune suppression by cultured lymphocyte supernates of tumor-bearing hosts

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Abstract
A nonspecific immunosuppressive factor produced by lymphocytes of tumor‐bearing hosts has been demonstrated. A modified Jerne plaque technique was used to quantify IgM antibody production of sheep erythrocyte‐immune Swiss mouse lymphocytes (IL). Significant suppression of IgM antibody production was found when IL were treated with cultured lymphocyte supernates of 4198 fibrosarcoma‐bearing mice. The suppressive activity was found to be significant six days prior to any visible tumor development, and, through the use of glass and nylon wool columns, appears to be produced by T cells. Similar immunosuppressive activity was found in 22 cancer patients tested as above, compared either to 16 patients who previously had had solid tumors but are now without clinical disease or to 19 normal controls.