Effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin on the development of primary lung cancer in Syrian golden hamsters.

The effect of a single systemic or intratracheal administration of viable Mycobacterium bovis strain Bacillus Calmette-Guérin on the development of primary lung cancer in Syrian golden hamsters was assessed. M. bovis strain Bacillus Calmette-Guérin administered i.v. prior to, during, or after carcinogen treatment did not alter the incidence of lung tumors. Animals receiving intratracheal M. bovis strain Bacillus Calmette-Guérin had an increased incidence of lung tumors. Both i.v. and intratracheal routes accelerated the appearance of tumors.