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Multiplication of Influenza Virus in the Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma^*

William A. Cassel

( Langbord Virus Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.)

When 40 million tumor cells were injected intraperitoneally into susceptible mice, a uniformly fatal outcome ensued in 14 days. The progress of the tumor was accompanied by an increase in the number of tumor cells, which reached a peak of 16 x 10⁸ cells on the 11th day, and by a maximal volume on the 14th day of 19 ml. The number of cells/cu mm reached a peak of 25 x 10⁴ cells on the 5th day and declined thereafter. The mitotic index was highest on the 1st day at 6.2 per cent. The concentration of nontumor cells approached 15 per cent the first 2 days, dropped to 6 per cent, and stayed at this level until the 14th day, when it returned to 15 per cent. The pH of the tumor fluid remained close to 7.0, but just before the animals died it rose to 7.5. The concentration of alpha-inhibitor increased moderately as the tumor developed, reaching a peak on the 9th day.

Concomitant with multiplication of the virus in the tumor there was a marked increase in the number of tumor cells destroyed and a rise in the pH of the tumor. Low levels of virus were found in the lungs and brains of normal as well as tumor-bearing mice, and the normal mice survived the infection. Death of the tumor-bearing mice ensued in 2–5 days after injection of virus. The cause of death was not investigated, but it may be related to the toxicity observed in connection with high concentrations of influenza virus. Alpha-inhibitor, although present in normal tumors, was not detectable in virus-infected tumors.

^* This study was aided by a grant from the American Cancer Society.

Studies carried out during the tenure of a Lederle Medical Faculty Award.

Received 2/11/57.