Effect of autologous tumor extracts on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Autologous crude saline extracts of human tumors were incubated with cultures of autologous human lymphocytes, and the degree of stimulation of the lymphocytes was quantitated by tritiated thymidine uptake. While no degree of stimulation was seen in 44 patients, a suggestive elevation was seen in 5 patients and a definite elevation (T:C ratio > 2) in 7 patients. These 7 patients all had tumors with a relatively favorable prognosis, including one patient with malignant melanoma who was undergoing spontaneous regression. It is suggested that the determination of lymphocyte hypersensitivity to autologous tumors may have ultimate prognostic significance.