Effect of cadmium exposure on primary tumor growth and cell-mediated cytotoxicity in mice bearing MSB sarcomas.

In vivo MSB tumor growth and cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) to MSB tumor cells in vitro were studied in male C57BL/6 mice exposed to 0, 3, 30, or 300 ppm Cd as CdCl2 in their drinking water for 21 weeks prior to and during tumor growth. CMC was assessed on days 5, 12, and 19 post injection with the use of both a 51Cr release assay and a 51Cr post-label assay. Cd exposure significantly inhibited the growth of MSB tumors in vivo and enhanced the levels of CMC in the tumor-bearing hosts. Peak levels of CMC on day 12 post tumor injection were significantly increased in Cd-exposed animals. However, whereas the inhibition of tumor growth was directly dependent on the dose of Cd, the enhancement of CMC was inversely related to dosage. These data suggested that other mechanisms in addition to increased CMC were involved in tumor growth inhibition. Possible factors such as direct inhibition of tumor growth by Cd and decreased serum blocking levels in Cd-exposed animals are discussed.