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The interaction between tumor cells and the host immune system is complex, involving a multitude of cell types and mediators. Despite numerous publications in this field, several central issues remain controversial, such as whether tumorspecific antigens (Ags) and immune surveillance mechanisms against newly emerging neoplasms exist, and which effector cell types are most important for immune-mediated tumor destruction. Nevertheless, it has become widely accepted that many murine and human tumors carry immunogenic epitopes on their surface, providing a target for immune-mediated tumor defense mechanisms1T2. The resulting effects of these tumor immune responses may vary from immunological rejection to tolerance induction”. Several lines of evidence suggest that recognition of neoplastic cells by the immune system is relevant for tumor growth. First, immunosuppressed patients exhibit an …