Matsubara's skin test for cancer detection was reported in 1946. Since then, ourefforts have been directed toward purifying Matsubara' sskin test factor and clarifying the skin reaction; also toward observing the many other biological phenomena produced by the specific soluble substances from the tissues.
The summary of the results obtained by his co-workers has shown that Matsubara's skin reaction is probably of the alllergic variety. According to Drs Matsubara & Hiramatsu, Matsubara's skin test has no organ specificity, nor has it any species specificity. It was demonstrated by Drs. Matsubara & Murata that a positive complement fixation reaction was obtained with the serum of the patientsts with cancer and Matsubara's factor. But they were unable to study the serologically proportion etc., throughly enough to state positively that this reaction was allergic. At present, it is felt by the author that histopathological comparison of the skin in the negative & positive reactious supports the theory that this skin test is most likely on an allergic basis. However the final proof could not be obtained by this method, and other fundamental factors had to be investigated in order to confirm more fully that this reaction is an allergic one.
It has not been proven conclusively that both the water soluble extract of cancer and Matsubara's factor share a common antigenic factor. This has only been indicated by the cross-reaction of the skin, between the water soluble substances obtained from cancer, and from chorion.
Therefore this is investigated serologically. The results were as follows:
(A)(1) The precipitin reaction between serum prepared by immunizing the rabbits with water-soluble extract of cancer, and the antigen used to sensitization, was positive, (2) The precipitin reaction with Matsubara's factor and sera of the water-soluble extract of cancer, was positive.(3) Matsubara's factor was not found to react with the antiserum for the synovial fluid, nor with sera of the normal rabbits.(4) Thecomplement fixation reaction revealed an antigenic factor common to Matsubara's factor and the watersoluble extract of cancer.(5) The active Arthus phenomenon was carried out by Matsubara's factor, and the result was positive.(6) The passive anaphylactic shock was produced by Matsubara's fatal shock.
The reasons are given for concluding that both the water-soluble extract of cancer and Matsubara's factor share a common antigenic factor.
(B) In this precipitin reactions it was suggested that the antibody for the protein of cancer.
(C) The Arthus phenomenon described above would be analogous to the Matsubara's skin reaction.

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