Correlation of high and decreased NY-ESO-1 immunity to spontaneous regression and subsequent recurrence in a lung cancer patient.

We show correlation between strong and decreased NY-ESO-1-specific immunity with spontaneous regression and subsequent recurrence, respectively, in a long-surviving patient with an NY-ESO-1-expressing lung adenocarcinoma. An integrated immune response consisting of IgG antibody, as well as CD4 and CD8 T cells, against NY-ESO-1 was observed at the time of spontaneous regression of multiple pleural metastases. After tumor dormancy for 3 years, the tumor started to progress.