Abstract
Abstract
Partially purified lymphotoxin preparation containing α-lymphotoxin was investigated for antitumor effect. A 12-year-old male dog weighing 14 kg developed malignant melanoma in the mouth. The tumor measured 4.5 × 4.0 cm. α-Lymphotoxin-containing preparation obtained from human lymphocytes was injected into the tumor at 2– to 5-day intervals. The doses varied from 600 to 2100 units of lymphotoxin activity per injection. A total of 13,200 units of lymphotoxin activity was given over the 30-day period of treatment. The tumor size decreased by 30% during the first 3 days, accompanied by necrosis in the center, and disappeared completely by the 20th day. The remission lasted for 6 months. No untoward effects were seen except for an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase. A repeat biopsy from the tumor site was done 12 days after the completion of treatment which showed fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, but no tumor cells. It was suggested that partially purified human α-lymphotoxin preparation possessed antitumor effect across the species barrier. Since the preparation was crude, it is possible that activities other than lymphotoxin were responsible for the antitumor effect. This question can only be resolved when large quantities of pure preparations of lymphotoxin become available.
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