LYMPHOID CELLS MEDIATING TUMOR-SPECIFIC CYTOTOXICITY TO CARCINOMA OF THE URINARY BLADDER

Abstract

Peripheral lymphocytes from patients with urinary bladder carcinoma and controls have been separated on the basis of rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes. The fractions were tested for tumor-specific cytotoxicity. The E rosette-forming cells of purity ⩾ 90% respond well in PHA-induced cytotoxicity but are totally inactive in the tumor assay. The non-E rosette-forming cells (purity ⩾ 91%) give enhanced activity in the tumor-specific cytotoxicity as well as in antibody-mediated target cell lysis in a model system. These data support the notion that the effector cells in cell-mediated immunity to carcinoma of the urinary bladder are members of the nonthymus-derived population of peripheral lymphocytes.