We measured counts of peripheral leukocyte, lymphocyte, T-cell and B-cell, peripheral T and B cell fractions, values of lymphocyte blastoformation by PHA and Con A, and levels of serum IgG, IgA, IgM, C_3, C_4 and CH50 in 8 patients with neuroblastoma, 6 children with SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), 11 mothers of the patients with neuroblastoma and 3 mothers of the patients with other diseases. Patients with neuroblastoma have higher counts of lymphocytes, T cells and B cells, higher response of lymphocyte blastogenesis to Con A and lower levels of some immunoglobulin than their mothers and SSPE patients. These results were thought to be age-dependent and not neuroblastoma-specific. We also discussed the development and growth of neuroblastoma, based on the results of these levels of non-specific immunocompetence.
