Some Aspects of Immunity in Tumors.

Abstract

This is a review of the main advances in the immunology of tumors. The paper starts from the researches which have led to the identification of the histocompatibility systems and to the formulation of the transplantation laws. After a hint at the different kinds of transplantable tumors, at the grafting technique and at the exceptions of the above laws, the problem of the heterologous grafting and of the so-called privileged sites is taken into consideration. Mention is made of the non-genetic factors which may influence the take of a tumor graft. Next, the actual and debated problem of the tumor specific antigens and, on the opposite side, of the antigenic semplification of tumors is illustrated. Successively, the paper deals with the immunologic reactions by which the host tissues may antagonize the taking of a tumor graft and, conversely, with those like the «enhancement» or «XYZ effect» which promote the multiplication of the neoplastic cells. The review ends with a chapter on the conditioning both of the tumor graft and of the host, i.e., on that complex of biological, chemical and physical treatments which are apt to prolong the survival of a homograft.