The effect of skin transplantation on tumor growth in mice

Skin allograft is an immunostimulant. Skin allograft activates effector arms of the immune system including the cytotoxic T lymphocytes, activated macrophages, and natural killer cells. These cells may be involved in the destruction of tumor cells.

Balb/c mice were divided into the study (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. Alloskin grafts 1 cm in diameter from the backs of Swiss albino mice were placed on the backs of balb/c mice (study group). The same size autoskin grafts from the backs of other balb/c mice were used for the control group. Fourteen days after grafting, we inoculated 1,000 Ehrlich ascites tumor cells intraperitoneally into both groups. Two days after tumor inoculation, we used secondary allografts and autografts (which were about 2 to 3 mm in diameter) for the same groups. We followed up graft survival and animal survival in both groups.

All 10 of the autografted mice died between the 18th and 25th days owing to malignancy. In the allografted group, 2 mice died (1 on day 17 and the other on day 23). Allograft rejection had not occurred in these 2 mice at the time of their death. The other 8 mice in the same group rejected allograft, on average within 9 days (9+/-3, median 8). These 8 mice were alive and without apparent health problems during the 4 months of follow-up.

Allo-skin graft rejection may help rejection of tumor cells and may be of use in immunotherapy of cancer.