ABSTRACT
Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is considered to be one expression of host immune defense mechanisms against tumors. Most in vitro studies on cytotoxicity against tumor were performed by the use of tumor cell lines as targets. This chapter describes the biological and clinical significance of blood autologous tumor killing (ATK) activity in human cancer patients. It suggests that in vivo induction of ATK activity prior to surgery by administration of biologic response modifiers may improve the clinical outcome in patients who naturally have no such potential. The patients who had received curative surgery were retrospectively evaluated for the postoperative clinical course. The strong correlation of blood ATK activity with long-term, tumor-free status is consistent with the hypothesis that the immune system may play a beneficial role in the eventual rejection of at least some human tumors. Adoptive immunotherapy with various types of cytotoxic cells has been beneficial for a subset of patients with melanoma and renal cell cancers.
