Induction of lymphatic leukemia in non-inbred mice and its control with glucocorticoids. The Lucy Wortham James lecture.

A set of feedings of a lipid solution of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene given biweekly by gastric intubation to young adult female mice of the non-inbred CF-1 strain elicited lymphatic leukemia in 73% of the animals in 112 +/- 24 days. Brief ether anesthesia facilitated alimentary administration of hydrocarbons and steroids. Inoculation of whole blood of mice with lymphatic leukemia into the subcutaneous tissue of allogeneic newborn resulted in lymphosarcomas at the injection site sometimes associated with leukemia. The lymphosarcomas of infant mice regressed rapidly following administration of cortisone or dexamethasone. They frequently, but not invariably, recurred; 14% of the mice were free from lymphosarcoma 3 months after treatment with the glucocorticoids.