A Model for Immunity to Melanomas in Mice 1,2

Abstract

Summary

C57BL mice immunized with cultured B16 melanoma cells developed both humoral and cellular immunity to melanoma antigens but were not resistant to melanoma cell challenge. Spleen, lymph node, and peritoneal exudative cells from immunized mice, however, passively transferred melanoma immunity to normal mice. Recipient mice were melanoma resistant if challenged with tumor cells 2 days, rather than 16 days, after adoptive transfer. Peritoneal exudative cells were more effective in the cell transfer experiments than the spleen or lymph node cells. Antimelanoma antibody was detected in unimmunized mice with large tumors and all immunized mice. In unimmunized mice antimelanoma antibody appeared to be associated with progressive tumor growth.