Immunologic abnormalities in melanoma-prone families.
Sixty members of 4 families prone to cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and a genetically determined precursor nevus syndrome underwent extensive immunologic evaluation. The most consistent finding was a diminished in vitro response to pooled alloantigens in the one-way mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) and a tendency to low T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte levels. When compared to controls, low B-lymphocyte levels and reduced MLC responses were found not only in family members with CMM and/or precursor nevi but also in unaffected blood relatives and spouses. The genesis of the immune dysfunction and its possible relationship to melanoma pathogenesis remain to be clarified.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D010375:Pedigree; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes