[Anti-tumor activity of peripheral lymphocytes of tumor-bearing rats by in vitro culture].

This basic study was performed to determine whether the anti-tumor effect of lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of a tumor bearing host can be increased when cultured in vitro with Mitomycin C (MMC)-treated AH109A tumor cells, using interleukin-2 (IL-2). Donryu rats were used as tumor bearing hosts. The following results were obtained. Weak anti-tumor activity of lymphocytes was noted 7 days after lymphocytes were cultured in the medium to which only IL-2 was added. Anti-tumor activity was augmented by adding antigen (MMC treated tumor cells) to the above (1). Anti-tumor activity was further augmented by adding to (2) above antigen presenting cells such as intraperitoneal exudate macrophages or peripheral hole leukocytes. Anti-tumor activity of lymphocytes was detected when IL-2 and MMC treated antigen were added to the peripheral hole leukocytes containing the lymphocytes.