Delayed Cutaneous Hypersensitivity Reactions to Autologous Extracts of Burkitt-Lymphoma Cells

Abstract

Investigations were performed to determine whether patients with Burkitt's lymphoma have delayed hypersensitivity reactions to antigens on the autologous tumor cells. Twelve patients were skin tested two to four days after initial biopsy. Only one patient, with a localized jaw tumor, had a positive reaction to autologous tumor extract, and none reacted to autologous lymphocyte extract. Eight of these patients were retested after treatment, and four additional patients were tested for the first time, when in clinical remission; seven of the 12 had positive reactions to autologous tumor extract. All seven remained in sustained clinical remission, for a median of 31 weeks after therapy. Four of the patients with negative reactions relapsed 14 to 20 weeks after therapy. The results indicate that many patients with Burkitt's lymphoma have delayed hypersensitivity responses to autologous tumor antigens and that positive reactions are correlated with sustained remission.