CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE BACILLUS-CALMETTE-GUERIN IMMUNOTHERAPY OF POSTSURGICAL METASTASES OF 13762A RAT MAMMARY ADENOCARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (3) , 987-992
Abstract
Critical variables were evaluated in BCG immunotherapy of residual 13762A rat mammary adenocarcinoma. BCG was given intratumorally on day 7 of tumor growth and followed by primary tumor excisions on day 20. Untreated animals died on about day 40 with axillary nodal and pulmonary parenchymal metastases. BCG-treated animals experienced prolonged survival and some were cured. The highest dose (5.0 .times. 107 colony-forming units [cfu]) of BCG was more effective than the lowest (0.5 .times. 107 CFU), but 1500 .mu.g Corynebacterium parvum [Propionibacterium acne] was more effective than even the highest BCG dose. Previous sensitization to BCG did not improve the effects of BCG treatment. BCG treatment was effective when given on day 7 and sometimes as late as day 12 or 17, but C. parvum was ineffective if given after day 7. Repeated injections of BCG or C. parvum were not more effective than single injections. Rats cured of residual 13762A tumor by BCG treatement were strongly and specifically immune to rechallenge. A high dose (5.0 .times. 107 CFU) of BCG given early (7 days) was the nost effective presurgical treatment of 13762A metastases. Repeated injections or host presensitization to BCG did not improve the benefits.

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