[Immunity to tumors induced by herpes simplex virus in hamsters]

Preparations of early herpes simplex virus antigen (VIA) and specific antibodies to it were used to induce active and passive immunity to herpes virus-induced tumors in experimental animals. The results demonstrated the increased resistance of animals to transplantation of tumor cells due to vaccination with VIA-containing preparations. Thus, in VIA-vaccinated animals there was a delay in the development of tumors and the survival time was significantly higher than in the controls. The sera of these animals contained antibodies to VIA in high titres. Experiments with passive immunization also gave encouraging results.