Altered natural killer cell response in patients with malignant lymphoma.

Natural Killer (NK) cells may be an important anti-tumour mechanism (Herberman & Holden 1978). Furthermore, interferon and interferon inducers potentiate NK-mediated cytotoxicity (Einhorn et al . 1978) and may constitute a mechanism whereby interferon mediates its anti-tumour effect. Patients with malignant lymphomas have long been acknowledged to have marked defects in immunity, particularly cell-mediated immunity (Hancock et al . 1977). NK cell function in such patients has not, however, yet been assessed. In the present study peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from patients with Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been assessed for NK function, and for their response in vitro to interferon.