Frank Friedman

Histologic monitoring of murine mammary tumor lysis induced by an autologous serum factor.

Abstract An autotumorolytic factor (SFIII), derived from a serum fraction of mammary tumor-bearing mice, has been demonstrated to be active when injected into the donor mouse. Gross and histologic assessment of tumors was made at 3, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr postinjection of SFIII. Concomitantly, lymph node, spleen, liver, kidney, thymus, and lung tissues were examined in these treated tumor animals and compared to non-tumor-bearing animals and a single animal exhibiting spontaneous tumor breakdown. Tumor destruction began at 3 hr postinjection with interlobular connective tissue breakdown accompanied by hemorrhage. Infiltration of connective tissue, where still present, by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages progressively increased with time. Lysis of tumor tissue subsequently spread to intralobular epithelium resulting in large cavitations containing fragmented tissue and debris, characterized by coagulative and liquefactive necrosis and caseation. Lymphoid tissues showed no significant immune reactivity. This pattern of induced tumorolysis appeared to have been duplicated in spontaneous tumor breakdown. Liver, lung, kidney, and the normal mammary tissue were apparently unaffected by the tumorolytic factor.