[Estrogen receptor status and expression of carbohydrate antigens in breast cancer]

Seventy-six cases of primary cancer of the breast were studied by clinicopathological examination and immunohistological examination using monoclonal antibodies. They were composed of 40 cases positive for estrogen receptor (ER) and 36 cases negative for ER, the ER-positive rate being 52.6%. ER was detected more frequently in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group, though the ER-positive rate was not significantly different between the two groups. The disease was advanced with a large tumor (greater than t3) and high-grade lymph node metastasis in ER-negative cases compared with ER-positive cases. The carbohydrate antigens specific to SPan-1, CA 19-9 and SLEX were found in 34.2%, 39.5% and 68.4% of the cases studied, respectively. These antigens were detected more often, if not significantly, in cases with a large mass and high-grade metastasis than in those with a small mass and without metastasis or with low-grade metastasis. The SPan-1-positive rate was significantly higher in ER-negative cases graded t1 or t2 than in ER-positive cases falling under the same category of tumor size. Significant differences were also noticed between the ER-negative and ER-positive groups with respect to CA 19-9-positive rate (t2 category) and SLEX-positive rate (t3 category). Similar data were obtained when our cases were classified by the degree of lymph node metastasis. In consequence, the present observations suggested that the expression of carbohydrate antigens in primary breast cancer and disease progress might be correlated with ER status.

Evaluation of effect of host immunity on growth of androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma 115 in the mouse

Experiments were carried out to examine the role of the host defence mechanism in the proliferation of androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma 115 in the DS mouse. Stimulation of tumor growth by dexamethasone was synergistic with androgen action. Enhanced host immunity caused by bacterial infection resulted in remarkable inhibition of tumor growth. Not only androgen but also the host defence mechanism is one of the major factors that determine overall growth rate of the androgen-dependent tumor in this strain of mice.

Effect of transfer factor on tumor-associated immunity and tumor growth of the Dunning R-3327G rat prostate adenocarcinoma

Of importance in the design and application of improved or new modalities of treatment are their evaluation on relevant animal models. In the case of prostate cancer (PCa) the Dunning R-3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa), and its variant sublines, is one such experimental tumor model of its human counterpart. In a preliminary study, the effect of transfer factor (TF), one form of passive immunotherapy, on tumor-associated immunity (TAI) and tumour growth and histology of the G subline (a poorly differentiated, fast-growing, androgen sensitive, and poorly metastatic tumour of the Dunning R-3327 rat PCa) has been evaluated. TF prepared from the leukocytes of tumor-bearing animals and nontumor-bearing animals referred to as sensitized (STF) and unsensitized (UTF), respectively, had no significant effect on TAI or tumor size. The only noticeable effect of TF in this study was the presence of variable and moderate lymphocytic infiltrates, necrosis, and degenerative-type cells in tumors of animal recipients of STF. The failure to observe significant differences in TAI among tumor bearing and nontumor bearing animals raises doubt in part, of the immunogenicity of the G subline tumor and its appropriateness, at least for subsequent immunological studies. Further factors considered in this regard, are questions of tumor load, including the possible need for the use of adjuvant, and the parameters and sensitivity of immune responsiveness selected for evaluation and immunocompetency. Subsequent evaluation of the effect of TF on other more immunogenic variant sublines of the Dunning R-3327 rat tumor may yet provide further and more useful information.

Immunobiology of the Dunning R-3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma sublines: plasma and tumor effusion prostaglandins

Enhanced production of prostaglandins (PGs) by experimentally-induced and naturally occurring tumors and their effect on tumor growth and immunosurveillance have been noted. Directed toward further evaluation of the relationship between prostatic tumor growth and its milieu, i.e., microenvironment, we investigated the possible correlation between levels of PGs, tumor size, and metastatic potential. For this purpose, the levels of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in plasma and tumor effusions of three tumor sublines of the Dunning R-3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma were measured: R-3327H, well-differentiated, slow-growing, and poorly metastatic; R-3327G, poorly differentiated, fast-growing, and poorly metastatic; and R-3327 Mat LyLu, anaplastic, fast-growing, and highly metastatic. The level of PGF2 alpha was highly variable with no significant differences being noted between the tumor sublines. The mean values of PGF2 alpha were, however, higher, although not significantly so, in the smaller tumors within each of the sublines. The levels of PGE2 were significantly higher in Mat LyLu effusions than those from the nonmetastasizing R-3327G and H sublines. Evaluation and comparison of the relationship between tumor burden, i.e., size versus levels of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha showed no significant differences. A vasodilator and regulator of immunological responsiveness, PGE2, may function as a modulator of tumor metastases. In consonance with studies by others elevated levels of PGE2 may possibly serve as a prognostic marker for the high metastatic potential of neoplastic cells.

Evaluation of CEA and GCDFP-15 plasma level during hormonally induced cancer stimulation

Preliminary clinical trials indicate that transient stimulation of breast and prostate cancer growth by hormonal means may enhance tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy. In none of these studies, however, has an attempt been made to measure parameters that might reflect perturbations in cell kinetics induced by the treatment schedules. While conducting two, controlled, randomized clinical trials in advanced breast cancer and prostate cancer using a similar approach, we have measured plasma levels of two tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and breast gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP-15). These served as a possible means of monitoring hormonal stimulation of tumor growth. Both markers failed to increase following administration of estrogens to patients with breast cancer and of androgens to men with prostatic carcinoma. In contrast, transient stimulation of tumor growth probably occurred as shown by exacerbation of symptoms and, in patients with prostate cancer, rise in acid phosphatase. We conclude that CEA and GCDFP-15 are not useful for monitoring pertubations in tumor cell kinetics induced by hormone stimulative protocols.

Stimulatory effects of dexamethasone and indomethacin on growth of androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma 115 in the mouse

The effects of dexamethasone and indomethacin on the growth of androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma 115 were studied. When castrated male DS mice were treated with dexamethasone for 2 weeks at daily doses of 1-5 mg/kg starting from 3 days before tumor inoculation, the tumor weight as well as the transplantability was significantly increased. The tumor grown in dexamethasone-treated mice had morphological, biochemical and biological characteristics similar to those of the original Shionogi carcinoma 115. Indomethacin at daily doses of 2-10 mg/kg also stimulated the tumor growth in castrated DS mice, but the effect was less pronounced than that of dexamethasone. In allogeneic male ICR mice, dexamethasone promoted tumor growth, but indomethacin had no effect. These results suggest that tumor growth in the mouse is stimulated not only by androgens but also by glucocorticoids through the suppression of immune responses of the host and direct action on the tumor cells.

Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinoma and on immunological reactivity

The antineoplastic activity of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was investigated in rats bearing DMBA-induced mammary carcinomas, a classical model of hormone-dependent tumor. Using a repeated injection schedule of relatively short duration, MPA was markedly effective (80% CR + PR) not only on relatively small (1-1.5 cm) tumors but also on advanced (4.5-5.5 cm) neoplasms. MPA effectiveness was comparable to that of a frankly toxic adriamycin regimen. In antitumorally effective schedules MPA was incapable of significantly affecting in either direction cellular and humoral immunological reactivities in rodents.

Changes in concanavalin A-mediated agglutination of hormone-dependent mouse mammary tumour cells during serial transplantation

The concanavalin A-mediated agglutinability of GR mouse mammary tumour cells changes during serial transplantation of the tumours. Hormone-dependent cells in general have a lower agglutinability than hormone-independent cells. However, changes have also been observed in the histology of the tumours during serial transplantation, which as such may also alter the Con A-mediated agglutinability of the tumour cells.