The growth of lymphocyte colonies from peripheral blood of patients with malignant melanoma.
Lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of patients with malignant melanoma were cultivated using a modification of the two-layered cultivation method in a semisolid medium. The ability of the cultivated lymphocytes to form colonies and clusters in agar after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin was compared with the actual clinical state of patients. In patients with malignant melanoma, who show clinical signs of progress, significantly less colonies and clusters are formed than in controls. The number of colonies appears to be a more sensitive sign than the number of clusters. For orientation in clinical practice the number of large colonies is of an importance.
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery