Effect of reovirus infection on pulmonary tumor response to urethan in strain A mice

The effect of reovirus type 3 infection on the pulmonary adenoma response to urethan in strain A mice was examined. Urethan carcinogenesis in this system was suppressed from 30 to 60% when mice were exposed to reovirus either 6 days before, on the same day as, or 14 days after urethan administration. These findings suggested that reovirus infection interfered with the progression of urethan-induced pulmonary adenoma rather than the induction of lung tumors by urethan. When mice received multiple exposures to reovirus, the lung tumor response was enhanced. These findings indicated that reovirus infection in particular and virus infection in general may play an important role in the carcinogenic response to environmental chemicals.