Assessment of Reactivity to Tumor Extracts by Leukocyte Adherence Inhibition andDermal Testing2

Abstract

Patients, family contacts of patients, and non-contact controls were tested for reactivity to melanoma, eplder-mold carcinoma of the head and neck, and neuroblastoma by a modification of the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test with 3 m KCI-extracted tumor antigens. Dermal testing with melanoma and epidermoid carcinoma extracts was done and results on the frequency, magnitude, and specificity of reactivity in cancer patients were compared to those obtained with the LAI test. Both tests detected tumor reactivity in cancer patients. A greater frequency of reactivity to tumor extract of the same compared to different histologic type was observed in patients and in family contacts of the patients. The frequency of reactivity was lower in non-contact controls. The LAI test appeared to be more sensitive in detecting antitumor responsiveness than dermal testing with the same extract.