Depression of host versus graft immunity and stimulation of tumor growth following partial hepatectomy
Pliskin, M.E.
Cancer Research 36(5): 1659-1663
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 1268827 Document Number: 110022
Tumor growth was measured in inbred (C3H and C3Hf) and hybrid (C3H X C57BL/6F1 and BALB/c X C3HF1) mice after partial hepatectomy, sham hepatectomy, and hind limb amputation. Epithelial tumors (mammary carcinoma) and mesenchymal tumors (methylcholanthrene-induced and spontaneous tissue culture) were used in order to determine the tissue specificity of the tumor growth stimulation. Immunological parameters were defined by: (a) utilization of tumors that were either antigenic or nonantigenic, and (b) measurement of the host versus graft response in partially hepatectomized mice. Partial hepatectomy and the control operations were done on the same day as the tumor cell inoculation. All tumors, regardless of their tissue type or antigenicity, grew significantly better in partially hepatectomized mice as compared with the control mice. There was a significant positive correlation between the magnitude of tumor growth stimulation and the degree of antigenicity of the tumor. Last, skin allograft survival was significantly prolonged in the hepatectomized mice. The results suggest that : (a) the stimulation of tumor growth in hepatectomized mice is not tissue specific as previously reported; and (b) the antigenicity of a tumor is not necessary for growth stimulation after partial hepatectomy.