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Sensitization to tumour‐associated antigens in human breast carcinoma
Author(s) -
Cochran A. J.,
Grant R. M.,
Spilg W. G.,
Mackie R. M.,
Ross C. E.,
Hoyle D. E.,
Russell J. M.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910140103
Subject(s) - sensitization , antigen , breast cancer , medicine , breast carcinoma , immunology , cancer , carcinoma , homologous chromosome , pathology , biology , biochemistry , gene
We have used the leukocyte migration technique to examine the leukocytes of 138 breast cancer patients and 157 control donors for sensitization to breast carcinoma associated antigens. A majority of breast cancer patients (54%) showed sensitization while only 15% of the control donors reacted. Reactions were as frequent with autologous combinations of antigen and leukocytes as with homologous combinations, suggesting that transplantation antigens are relatively unimportant in the system and that breast cancers share structurally similar antigens. Reactions were less frequent with leukocytes from patients who had visceral metastases; however, patients with local recurrences were as frequently reactive as those with localized disease. Extracts of mastopathic breasts and fibroadenomas infrequently inhibited the leukocytes of cancer patients and of control donors. Macroscopically normal breast from the tissue around breast cancers may contain antigens similar to the tumour‐associated antigens.