ANTI‐TUMOUR IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT MELANOMA

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Abstract
Anti‐tumour immunoreactivity has been investigated in 53 cases of melanoma of the skin and in 10 of the eye. Four tests were employed—namely, estimation of cytotoxicity by blood lymphocytes and serum against cultured tumour cells, and Immunofluorescent membrane staining of viable tumour cells and cytoplasmic staining of dried cell films. The tumours studied included primary melanomas and a smaller number of secondary deposits. Of the skin melanomas, 20 gave positive results to one or more tests, and the most frequent positive response (lymphocytotoxicity) was detected in 5 of the 18 cases tested in this way. Of the ocular melanomas, one only gave a positive result—by estimation of serum cytotoxicity. Immunoreactivity against tumour cell surface, assessed by lymphocyte or serum cytotoxicity or membrane immunofluorescence, was restricted to melanomas, and there was also an element of individual specificity. Wider cross‐reactivity was found by cytoplasmic immunofluorescence. Lymphocytes from regional nodes or the tumour itself were non‐reactive even when blood lymphocytotoxicity was present.