Newer concepts of cancer of the colon and rectum: Delayed hypersensitivity responses of patients with carcinoma of the colon and other solid tumors

Summary Eighty-nine patients were skin-tested with four delayed allergens: old tuberculin, mumps, streptokinase-streptodornase, and Trichophyton. Forty-eight of these patients, including 43 with carcinoma of the colon, had nonreticuloendothelial tumors. Patients with tumors were otherwise in good health. There were significant differences between the delayed skin sensitivity of patients with cancer and those without cancer, and between the responses to challenge with streptokinase-streptodornase of patients with metastases and those without metastases. The presence of cancer decreased responsiveness, and metastases limited responsiveness still further.