This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Diller, I. C. Articles by Harris, L. T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Diller, I. C. Articles by Harris, L. T.

Lytic Action of Candida and Saccharomyces Sp. on Sarcoma 37 and Ehrlich Ascites Tumors^*

Institute for Cancer Research and Lankenau Hospital Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.

Sarcoma 37 ascites and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were incubated in 4.7 per cent glucose at 37° C. in the presence of various yeasts or yeast-like organisms. In 24 hours the organisms were intracellular, and many cells were damaged or lysed; and by 48 hours the tumor cells were completely destroyed, although most of the normal mouse liver cells similarly treated appeared viable, and control tumor cells were still morphologically intact, though not dividing. Particularly effective was a culture ("Paris 97") of C. albicans isolated from a Hodgkin's patient, and several cultures of Saccharomyces. Similar results were obtained with C. parakrusei, C. stellatoides, and C. tropicalis. C. Krusei, C. pseudotropicalis, and C. Guillermondi were also active, but to a lesser degree.

Sarcoma 37 cells grown in tissue culture with Candida albicans degenerated completely in 24–48 hours after infection, while normal fibroblasts from embryonic Swiss mice, cultured under the same conditions, were not affected.

Living Candidas or yeasts injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice bearing ascites tumors were quickly phagocytized by leukocytes and were only occasionally observed inside the tumor cell. Inhibition of mitosis for periods ranging from 24 to 48 hours and some reduction of ascites swelling followed in vivo intraperitoneal injection of the "Paris 97" culture of C. albicans, but the survival time was the same as that of control mice.

^* Supported in part by a grant from the Eli Lilly Company and in part by an institutional grant from the American Cancer Society.

Received 8/11/54.