Cellular cytotoxicity in transitional cell carcinoma of the human urinary bladder - a summary.

The cytoxicity in vitro fo peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC-bladder) against allogeneic target cells from established cell lines was studied by the 51Cr-release assay. Lymphocytes from both untreated and treated TCC-bladder patients have a significantly elevated mean cytotoxicity to TCC-bladder target cells. Tumour cell destruction by lymphocytes from TCC-bladder patients shows a clear disease related specificity. In TCC-bladder patients a superimposed cytotoxicity exists, probably reflecting reactions against one or several tumour - associated antigens. In treated patients this cytotoxicity may be masked by higher incidence of cross reaction.