Low-dose cyclophosphamide inhibition of transplantable fibrosarcoma growth by augmentation of the host immune response.

Preinjection of a low dose of cyclophosphamide (Cy) (500 microgram/mouse) either delayed or inhibited tumor appearance following the inoculation of transplantable 3-methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas in inbred male C3H/HeJ mice. This dose of Cy decreased the spleen weight by 13% and the total spleen cell count by 23%. However, the same dose could potentiate the footpad swelling reaction (FPSR) measured against Staphylococcus aureus antigen. Splenic lymphocytes from Cy-treated animals showed increased blastogenic response against phytohemagglutinin-M and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Thus 500 micrograms Cy/animal may have depleted suppressor cell populations leading to: a) an increase in FPSR, b) increased blastogenic transformation of lymphocytes, and c) tumor growth inhibition.