This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pattillo, R. A. Articles by Ruckert, A. C. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pattillo, R. A. Articles by Ruckert, A. C. F.

Expression of Cell-mediated Immunity and Blocking Factor Using a New Line of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Vitro¹

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226

A cell-mediated cytotoxicity test, quantitated by postlabeling with tritiated thymidine, was used to assess immune reactivity of cancer patients to the HeW cell line derived from serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary. Lymphocytes from 71.4% of serous and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma patients demonstrated a cytotoxic response towards the HeW cells, whereas no reactivity was observed towards target cells derived from nonovarian cancer. These observations indicated that the HeW cells express tumor-associated antigen. In some patients bearing similar tumors, cytotoxicity was blocked by ascitic fluid from other patients with cystadenocarcinoma. In addition, antigen obtained from the spent culture fluid of HeW cells exhibited blocking activity in a typical dose-response fashion, suggesting that blocking factor may be free tumor-associated antigen or an antigen-specific suppressor molecule. Thus, blocking of the lymphocytotoxic response of cystadenocarcinoma patients towards HeW cells may be utilized to monitor the isolation of ovarian carcinoma-associated antigen.

¹ Supported by The American Cancer Society (Milwaukee Division) and the Cudahy Fund.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 6/12/78. Accepted 12/28/78.