Immune Complexes in Patients Bearing Solid Tumors

Abstract

An immune complex is an immunological association of an antigen with its antibody. The nature of this complex is determined by the characteristics of the two constituents. The immunoglobulins involved in circulating immune complexes (CIC) undergo stereochemical transformations to render them incapable of reacting with diverse elements of the immune system as well as with cells responsible for inflammatory response, e. g., platelets, histiocytes, and erythrocytes. However, as with other immune phenomena, the formation and role of CIC is subject to a control mechanism determined by the nature of the antigen itself. Numerous authors have reported that insoluble CIC levels were frequently elevated in cancer patients. The prognostic value of these variations has been discussed (Amlot et al., 1976, 1978; Benveniste et al., 1972; Brandis et al., 1978; Camussi et al., 1977; Carpentier et al., 1977; Cochrane, 1968; Gauci et al, 1978b,c; Jose and Seshadri, 1974; Silberberg-Sinakin et al., 1977).