Premium
A standard method for DNCB sensitization testing in patients with neoplasms
Author(s) -
Bleumink Eric,
Nater Johan P.,
Koops H. Schraffordt,
The T. H.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197404)33:4<911::aid-cncr2820330404>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - medicine , sensitization , melanoma , dermatology , contact dermatitis , patch testing , allergic contact dermatitis , allergy , skin reaction , immunology , cancer research
A method is described for the quantification of the DNCB sensitization‐test. Sensitization was performed by epicutaneous application of 2 mg of the substance. Fourteen days later, challenges were performed by patch testing with 30, 10, and 3 μg of DNCB in acetone. In this way erroneous readings (by toxic skin responses) may be avoided. The reactions were graded according to common practice in clinical allergology (1–4+). The sum of the reactions on the three concentrations was taken as a measure of skin reactivity (designated as DNCB‐score). Three groups of people were assayed. Of 48 controls, all but 1 (98%) showed positive reactions. The average DNCB‐scores of the melanoma and Hodgkin's patients were significantly lower than the controls'. Of 66 patients with malignant melanoma (45 of them had clinically localized tumors), only 76% developed a contact allergic reaction. Of 8 patients with malignant Hodgkin's disease, 2 could be sensitized. Further analysis revealed that in both the control and the melanoma group, DNCB‐reactivity decreases with age. To ascertain the chance of cross‐sensitization, tests were done with chemically‐related components. Two out of 49 persons with a contact hypersensitivity to DNCB developed positive tests to related chemicals, which indicates that cross‐sensitization is a risk of the DNCB‐test.