Immunological studies on a case of recurrent Burkitt's lymphoma during immune stimulant treatment

Antibodies against several EBV‐ and non‐EBV‐associated antigens were titrated in serial sera from a patient with Burkitt's lymphoma who was given immune stimulants during chemotherapeutically induced tumor regression. EBV‐associated membrane reactive antibodies gradually declined during BCG treatment 3–4 months prior to triple (pertussis‐diphtheria‐tetanus, PDT) vaccination, after which they rapidly increased simultaneously with the appearance of multiple recurrent tumors. Prior to vaccination, antibodies to the R component of the EBV‐induced early antigen complex became detectable and increased further before the recurrences became evident. Antibodies to EB viral capsid antigens and to the D component of the early antigen complex also increased starting after triple vaccination, whereas most other antibodies studied remained stable during the observation period. Possible interpretations of the serological changes are discussed.