Diagnosis and prognosis in colon cancer based on a profile in immune reactivity

J Natl Cancer Inst. 1975 Feb;54(2):319-25.

Abstract

An immunologic profile consisting of measurements of circulating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor antigen-induced inhibition of monomuclear cell migration (IMM) and skin reactivity to purified protein derivative, streptokinase-streptodornase, and mumps was assessed as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in 16 patients with colon cancer. Preoperatively, 10 of 14 patients tested had elevated CEA, 12 of 12 showed tumor antigen-induced IMM, and 10 of 11 failed to react to 2 or more recall antigens. Potential surgical cure (7 patients) was accompanied by normal CEA in 4, absent tumor antigen-induced IMM in all 7, and increased skin-test reactivity in 6. Disseminated cancer (9 patients) was associated with elevated CEA in all 9, with absent IMM in all 7 and with suppressed skin-test reactivity in 6 of 9.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / analysis
  • Cell Migration Inhibition
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mumps / immunology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • Skin Tests
  • Streptodornase and Streptokinase / immunology
  • Tuberculin Test

Substances

  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Streptodornase and Streptokinase