The immunosuppressive behavior of cancer and the hypothesis of cancer rejection in man: the significance of the tumor-stroma interface

ABSTRACT

376 specimens consisting of 339 tumors and 37 alien tissues in the human host were studied with regards to the density of immunocellular infiltration (DI) at the tumor-stroma junction. The DI was read as 0,1,2,3,4, with 0 representing absence of the infiltrating immunocytes according to the authors proposed classificationThere was total disparity between the results of the control and that of the tumor group. Whereas the control group showed a 70.2% incidence, at DI 3 and 4 combined, the whole tumor group had only 18.1% and, therefore, a low immunocellular index (ICI) of 25.7% of the control (Group X). On the other hand, at DI 0 and 1, the tumor group had an incidence of 66.9%, while the control had only a 2.7% incidence at DI 1 and none at 0. It is striking that the high group incidences at DI 0 and 1 combined were sent in the invasive and metastic-embolic groups (73.7%) and 84.1%, respectively)The quantitative differences between the benign-preinvasive groups (A and B) and the invasive-metastatic groups (C and D) which have similar descending trends clearly point to their clearout behaviors, namely the "host-dependent" and the "autonomous", respectively. The results of this study proved beyond doubt the immunosuppressive property of cancer. The experimental and clinical correlations with the above results were discussed. Mention was made also of the significance of the trophoblastic nature of cancer in relation to the authors findings. Fiscally, a hypothesis of "Cancer Rejection" was presented. and its various facets discussed. Preliminary clinical experimentation seems to support the hypothesis. These experiences may be the beginning of a relatively new challenge in oncotherapy. It can be said in closing that the various aspects of cancer immunology deserve an aggressive reappraisal, for this author is confident that in the not-too-distant future a much more simple, safe, and physiological method in the conquest of malignancy can become a living reality.(Summary)