Study of the humeral immune response in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

ABSTRACT

This work included 20 patients with unilateral bronchogenic carcinoma with aim of assessing immunoglobulins G, A and M in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] in the tumor bearing side and the normal side. Protein content of the lavage fluid in both normal and tumor bearing side was increased as compared to controls. There was no significant difference between protein content of the normal side and the tumor bearing side. Immunoglobulins G and A were significantly increased in lavage fluid of the diseased side as compared to normal side. Immunoglobulin M was not detected in all the lavage samples. Serum IgS increased as compared to control. These increases suggest that a local response possibly of and immune nature is present by which the host recognizes and reacts against neoplasm