[Tumor immunology (author's transl)].

Abstract

Prerequisites for immunobiological interactions between host and tumor are the existence of tumor-specific surface antigens on cancer cells on the one hand, and the ability of the host to recognize and to adequately respond to these signals on the other. It seems that in certain selected animal models these conditions are matched. The relations of the spontaneously arising human tumors to these prerequisites, however, are still largely obscure. It is known that immunological measures can both accelerate or inhibit tumor growth. Thus, immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy in man is still premature and too risky.