Prognostic significance of cellular immunity to autologous breast carcinoma and glycoprotein 55
M. M. Black, R. E. Zachrau, R. H. Ashikari and B. F. Hankey
Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595.
Using a skin window (SW) procedure, we evaluated post-operative
cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to autologous breast cancer with reference to
its prognostic significance, the nature of the immunogen, and the
therapeutic implications. It appears that SW reactivity to autologous
breast cancer is prognostically favorable per se and is independent of the
prognostic significance of the nuclear grade of the cancer cells; SW
reactivity to autologous breast cancer reflects CMI to a determinant(s)
that is expressed by glycoprotein 55, the principal envelope glycoprotein
of the RIII-murine mammary tumor virus; the glycoprotein 55-like CMi
determinant(s) is more regularly expressed by preinvasive than by invasive
breast cancers; tumor antigenicity and host reactivity may vary
independently; and postoperative monitoring of CMI to autologous breast
cancer is prognostically and therapeutically important.
