title: Proliferative response of lymphocytes from ovarian cancer patients to autologous tumor cells.
abstract: Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 43 patients with histologically confirmed ovarian carcinoma were stimulated in mixed lymphocyte-tumor culture (MLTC) with purified autologous tumor cells. Positive results, assessed as lymphocyte proliferation, were observed in 21 cases (48.8%). Lymphoid cells associated with ascitic fluid or infiltrating solid masses were in general less reactive than PBL as only 3/11 cases had positive MLTC. Tumor cells isolated from peritoneal effusions showed no significant difference in stimulatory potential as compared to the primary tumor. These results suggest that in an appreciable proportion of ovarian carcinoma patients (approximately 50%), lymphocytes have the potential to react to autologous tumor cells. Comprehension of the immunological mechanisms of antitumor resistance may have direct practical relevance for more effective treatment of neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Immunology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allavena
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lo Presti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Bello
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lucchini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lissoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanetta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mangioni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology