This paper briefly reviews some mechanisms of tumor immunity and the principles of cancer immunotherapy. Cellular and humoral immunity can both influence tumor cells. Most of the cells belonging to the immune system can act on neoplastic cells. T cells can kill them, macrophages inhibit their growth, and K cells through their Fc receptor also destroy antibody-coated tumor cells. Cancer patients have usually depressed cellular immune functions. The goal of immunotherapy is to amplify the immune reactions in order to destroy the tumor cells. The modalities of immunotherapy are described. They may become important as adjuvant therapy. Immunotherapy has already been successful in skin cancers, lung cancer and acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Keywords:
Immunotherapy, Cancer, T cells, Macrophages, K cells
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© 1978 S. Karger AG, Basel
1978
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