Transplantation and Cell-Free Transmission of a Reticulum-Cell Sarcoma in BALB/c Mice2,3

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Abstract
A neoplastic disease resembling “reticulum-cell neoplasm, type B (Hodgkin's-like lesion)” developed in 2 of 11 BALB/c mice inoculated with cell-free extracts derived from the Ehrlich ascites tumor. Thereafter, the disease was serially propagated either by transplantation or with cell-free extracts. While reticulum-cell sarcoma (RCS) was the major neoplastic disease generated, a lymphocytic neoplasm (or a disease with characteristics of both neoplasms) was also encountered during the cell-free passage of RCS and could be distinguished from RCS in various ways, particularly in its behavior on transplantation. Cell-free induced reticulum-cell sarcoma is characterized by a prolonged stage of splenic hyperplasia preceding the onset of neoplasia. Such hyperplastic tissue was nonetheless infective. Induction of neoplastic disease occurred with filtered extracts and a fluorocarbon-treated extract. Although strain specificity was evident, it was not absolute. The incidence of cell-free transmission was dependent on age of host at time of inoculation. The agent survived storage at −70° C, and repeated freeze-thawing. Evidence is cited for the probable replication of the neoplastic agent(s) in tissue culture.