ACCELERATION OF B-16 MELANOMA GROWTH IN MICE AFTER BLOOD-TRANSFUSION

  • 1 September 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 102  (3) , 485-492
Abstract
Evidence suggests that blood transfusions depress immunologic reactivity; as some tumors are influenced by by immune status of their host, it is possible that transfusions could promote tumor growth by impairing host immunity. The influence of blood tranfusion on the growth of a transplantable B16 melanoma was examined in nude (athymic) CBA mice and immunocompetent C57 BL/6J mice. Recipients were given infusions of saline solution or syngeneic or H-2-incompatible allogeneic blood transfusions on two occasions 3 days apart. Infusions were begun 10 days beore inoculation of a single cell suspension of B16 melanoma. Growth was determined by measurements of primary tumor volume and tumor weight after excision. There was no statistically significant difference in tumor size or weight between the three recipient groups of athymic mice. However, immunocompetent mice given H-2-incompatible allogeneic blood had higher rates of tumor engraftment.sbd.saline solution recipients versus allogeneic recipients; .chi. = 2.97, df = 1, p < 0.001; syngeneic recipients versus allogeneic recipients: .chi.2 = 2.97, df = 1, p > 0.05. In the allogeneic group significantly larger and heavier tumors developed than in mice given syngeneic blood or saline solution. The study indicates that H-2-incompatible allogeneic blood transfusions can influence the growth of a transplantable murine tumor by a mechanism that involves a cell-mediated immune response.