Stimulation of anti-tumour immunity in guinea-pigs by methanol extraction residue of BCG

Abstract

The immunoprophylactic effects of the methanol extraction residue (MER) of BCG were investigated in Strain 2 guinea-pigs injected with cells of the transplantable, diethylnitrosamine-induced, Line 10 hepatocarcinoma. Pretreatment with MER at times ranging from 18 to 182 days prior to tumour implantation protected approximately 40% of guinea-pigs from progressive neoplastic disease. In addition, MER-treated animals developed specific cell-mediated anti-tumour immunity both more rapidly and at higher levels than did non-MER-treated tumour-bearing controls. It was not possible, however, to prognosticate from the results of such laboratory studies to the outcome of immunoprophylaxis. © 1976, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.