title: A correlation of DNCB-induced delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions and the course of disease in patients with recurrent breast cancer.
abstract: Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB were performed before therapy in 84 patients with recurrent breast cancer. Following sensitization, a 100 microgram challenge dose was graded as a strong, weak, or negative reaction. Thirty six patients were rechallenged greater than or equal to 6 months with 109 microgram of DNCB. Patients with a strong delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to DNCB were characteried by: a significantly higher probability of surviving at 52 and 78 weeks, a longer median length of survival (strong 78 weeks, weak 43 weeks, and negative 35 weeks), and a greater probability of responding to therapy (strong 52%, weak 29%, and negative 23%). It is suggested that patients with histologic grade III tumors with a dense lymphocyte infiltrate had more frequent strong delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB than those with few lymphocytes. The correlation of DNCB skin testing with a good prognosis in this group of patients with breast cancer suggests a protective role by the immunologic defense mechanisms and warrants its further evaluation and use in the development of new therapeutic modalities.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D009578:Nitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D009578:Nitrobenzenes