ENHANCED ANTIBODY-DEPENDENT CELL-MEDIATED CYTOTOXICITY OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH GERMINAL CELL TUMORS

The antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (K-cell activity) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 92 patients with germinal cel l tumors and 60 healthy male controls was measured against 0,Rh(D) pos itive human red blood cells sensitized with anti-D antibody. To determ ine the maximal K-cell activity the enyzme-like kinetic model of cytot oxicity-in which lysis was measured in presence of target cell excess, was utilized. To avoid variations due to the individual sensitivity o f target erythrocytes red blood cells were obtained from a single dono r. It was demonstrated that the K-cell activity of patients with germi nal cell tumors was significantly enhanced compared to the control gro up. Patients with clinically detectable tumors showed relevant higher activity than those without detectable tumor. Chemotherapy significant ly enhanced the activity of patients in the former group.