Immunotherapy for accessible tumors utilizing delayed hypersensitivity reactions and separated components of the immune system.

Courses of repeated delayed hypersensitivity challenge reactions at the sites of tumors have been shown to eradicate malignant and premalignant epidermal neoplasms. Local immunotherapy produces therapeutic responses in malignant and premalignant lesions before they are clinically detectable. This leads to a reduced incidence and prevention of tumors. Immunotherapeutic approaches are effective in controlling the early stages of mycosis fungoides and may aid in the management of the cutaneous manifestations in the late stages of the disease. Immunotherapeutic methods induce regressions of soft tissue lesions of a number of multifocal or metastatic malignant diseases with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Immunotherapeutic effects on tumors are similar with primary and recall antigens. Separated components of the cell-mediated immune system induce regressions of tumors following intralesional or perilesional administration, indicating common factors in host defenses against malignant diseases.