A ROLE FOR ANAPHYLACTIC SENSITIZATION IN TUMOR-CONTROL

In order to evaluate the possible preventive role of an anaphylactic condition on tumor development, C57BL/6J mice were immunized or hyperimmunized by the i.p. route with egg albumin in alum before the chemical induction of fibrosarcoma. Preimmunization using a protocol which elicits an optimal IgE response produced a significant reduction of tumor incidence; an increase of survial time, and a decrease of tumor growth rate in animals with higher IgE titers (> 640). Hyperimmunized mice, which were suppressed in their anti-egg albumin IgE response, showed no changes in tumor incidence and survival time when compared to controls. A suppressive effect on tumor development related to the ability of the animal to mount an IgE response to antigens unrelated to the tumor is suggested.