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Common Tumor Rejection Antigens in Methylcholanthrene-induced Squamous Cell Carcinomas of Mice Detected by Tumor Protection and a Radioisotopic Footpad Assay¹

Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Viral Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, NIH, USPHS, United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

Seven transplantable lines of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin initiated in BALB/c mice by skin painting with methylcholanthrene were systematically tested for crossreactivity of their tumor rejection antigens in a 7 x 7 matrix. As determined by decreased tumor frequency after tumor cell challenge, each line was immunogenic against and/or immunosensitive to at least one and usually more than one of the other lines. A radioisotopic footpad assay for delayed hypersensitivity against viable tumor cells confirmed the cross-reactivity shown by tumor rejection. More than two antigens appeared to be present in the lines. Tests for C-type viruses were positive in all tumors; those for polyoma virus were negative. Whether the uniform presence of C-type viruses can account for the number and variety of antigens found, or whether the tumor rejection antigens are independent of virus expression, remains an open question. The finding of cross-reacting tumor rejection antigens in methylcholanthrene-induced squamous cell carcinoma encourages prospects for the development of more broadly applicable immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic reagents.

¹ Supported in part by USPHS Contract NO1-22020 from the Division of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, to Meloy Laboratories, Springfield, Va.

² On study leave from the Hellenic Anticancer Institute, St. Savas Hospital, Athens, Greece. Recipient of a scholarship from The Bodossaki Foundation, Athens, Greece.

Received 4/12/76. Accepted 9/17/76.