In situ lymphoid cells of mouse mammary tumors. IV. Comparison of functional activity of lymphoid cells separated from mammary tumors to that of spleen and lymph node cells of tumor-sensitized mice.

Lymphoid cells isolated form several types of mouse mammary tumors are capable of stimulating tumor cell growth or survival in MCT assays. Lymph node and spleen cells of mice bearing such a tumor are specifically cytotoxic to the tumor cells. Surgical removal of the tumor is followed in 4 to 7 days by the appearance of stimulatory capacity in spleens and lymph nodes. By day 10, cytotoxic cells specific for the sensitizing tumor are again detected. These reach a peak on day 13. By day 17 no reactivity is detectable. The functional distribution of tumor-reactive lymphoid cells is different between tumor masses and peripheral lymphoid organs.