Lymphocyte sensitization to carcinoembryonic antigen (Gold) with special reference to multiple sclerosis.

Lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis are sensitized to carcinoembryonic antigen (C.E.A.) in almost the same degree as are those from subjects with cancer. During pregnancy and the early puerperium there is an even higher degree of cellular sensitization to C.E.A. Patients with neurological diseases other than multiple sclerosis also show significant sensitization to C.E.A. though of less degree than do those with multiple sclerosis. Sensitization to C.E.A. is thus not specifically characteristic of cancer. The unexpected sensitization in multiple sclerosis may be associated with the pronounced degree of gliosis found in that condition.