title: Lymphocyte depression by cancer.
abstract: We believe we have shown in the animal model that in cancer the host's lymphoreticular tissues are engaged by a systemically disseminated antilymphocytic humoral factor that destroys the T-cell-dependent pathway, allowing the dissemination of the disease that results in the death of the animal. From studies on patients with cancer there appears to be a real possibility of the presence of a similar substance in man. Such a factor may form the basis for the definiation of cancer and an explanation of cancer illness on the runt hypothesis. Moreover, if the factor could be identified and antagonized a major therapeutic advantage would be achieved.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm