Augmented immunogenicity of tumor cell homogenates infected with influenza virus

Abstract

In summary, while seeking to isolate effective tumor transplantation antigens from SV 40 induced mouse fibrosarcomas, it was found that the immunogenicity of tumor homogenates was markedly augmented if the tumor cells were first infected with influenza virus. The plasma membrane fraction of the virus infected tumor cells appeared to contain most of the virus augmented TTA. A fast footpad assay for TTA is speeding the isolation work considerably, and the mechanism of action of the influenza virus effect appears to be that of a 'helper antigen'. Initial immunotherapy experiments are encouraging in that animals left with a small amount of residual tumor after surgery exhibit prolonged survival after treatment with homogenates of influenza virus infected tumor cells.