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A correlation of DNCB‐induced delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions and the course of disease in patients with recurrent breast cancer
Author(s) -
Cunningham Thomas J.,
Daut Dennis,
Wolfgang Patricia E.,
Mellyn Mary,
Maciolek Susan,
Sponzo Robert W.,
Horton John
Publication year - 1976
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(197604)37:4<1696::aid-cncr2820370413>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , breast cancer , delayed hypersensitivity , disease , cancer , immunology , immune system
Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB were performed before therapy in 84 patients with recurrent breast cancer. Following sensitization, a 100‐μg challenge dose was graded as a strong, weak, or negative reaction. Thirty six patients were rechallenged ≥6 months with 100 μg of DNCB. Patients with a strong delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to DNCB were characteried by: a significantly higher probability of surviving at 52 and 78 weeks, a longer median length of survival (strong 78 weeks, weak 43 weeks, and negative 35 weeks), and a greater probability of responding to therapy (strong 52%, weak 29%, and negative 23%). It is suggested that patients with histologic grade III tumors with a dense lymphocyte infiltrate had more frequent strong delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB than those with few lymphocytes. The correlation of DNCB skin testing with a good prognosis in this group of patients with breast cancer suggests a protective role by the immunologic defense mechanisms and warrants its further evaluation and use in the development of new therapeutic modalities.