Lymphocytes in immunotherapy of cancer : Meeting : Papers

In the past, research in cancer immunology has produced informa­ tion important for other medical disciplines. It helped, for example, in formulating the laws of immunogenetics and in achieving a better understanding of the mechanism governing the fate of allotrans­ planted tissue. Cancer has often been considered a foreign body, and therefore many attempts have been made to cure it on the basis of the immunological principles applicable to parasitic, bacterial, or viral diseases. Vaccination has been investigated clinically for its po­ tential to prevent cancer [1], and clinical research into the cure of cancer has included active immunization [2], nonspecific stimulation of defense mechanisms [3], and transfer of passive immunity by cells [4] or by antibodies [5]. These experiments have been of limited value and in some cases have even had an adverse effect. The reputation of cancer immunology has suffered, and the concept has often been severely criticized. However, the basic postulate that cancer must originate from the body's own cells, and that the immune system belongs to the principal regulatory mechanisms, remains valid. In recent years new research into clinical cancer immunotherapy has included critical appraisal of all its potential benefits, and also of the risks and limitations. It is dangerous to make unrealistic promises or to speak or think in terms of "miracle weapons" or a "magic bul­ let. Front Matter....Pages I-XI Therapy of Cancer with Interleukin-2-Activated Natural Killer Cells....Pages 1-17 T Cell Heterogeneity and Function....Pages 18-25 Human Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells and Their Potential for Cancer Therapy....Pages 26-31 In Vitro and In Vivo Induction of Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells in Patients with Gastric Cancer and Other Solid Tumors....Pages 32-43 Tests for Determination of Lymphocyte Activity....Pages 44-51 Lysis of Autologous Tumor Cells by Blood Lymphocytes In Vitro Requires MHC Class I Antigen Expression....Pages 52-65 Target Structures for Cellular Immune Mechanisms on the Surface of Epstein-Barr Virus-Infected Malignant and Nonmalignant Lymphocytes....Pages 66-73 Human Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells Activated with Interleukin-2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α: Implications for Immunotherapy....Pages 74-79 Interleukin-2 in the Treatment of Malignant Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma....Pages 80-86 Lymphokine-Activated Human Effector Cells Targeted by Monoclonal Antiganglioside Antibodies: A Preclinical Model for Immunotherapy of Human Melanoma....Pages 87-94 Comments on the Problems of Immunotherapy with Autologous Lymphocytes....Pages 95-97 A Clinician’s Comments on Cancer Therapy with Lymphocytes....Pages 98-98 Back Matter....Pages 99-100 This book summarizes various approaches in LAK therapy. The most important question is whether synergism or antagonism to other biological response modifiers plays a role in changing the immunological specificity of LAK cells. Combined administration of LAK cells and IL-2, intraarterial and intramural administration of LAK cells, and autologous stimulation are further topics. Methods of adminstration, doses, and therapy strategies are also discussed. All articles include a section on clinical results and future prospects. Using LAK cell therapy, a method which does not directly affect the tumor but improves the defense capacity of the patient, therapeutic improvements have already been achieved. However, research indicates that, in the future, even better therapeutic results can be expected from combined approaches which include LAK cell therapy