Enhancement by asbestos of oncogenesis by Moloney murine sarcoma virus in CBA mice

Five micrograms of finely ground crocidolite asbestos (UICC standard sample) were injected intraperitoneally into 3-week-old CBA mice, together with 10(5) FFU of Moloney murine sarcoma virus. Altogether 44 out of 61 mice (72.1%) so treated developed palpable intraperitoneal tumours, and half of these died of such tumours within 100 days. The same amount of quartz and carbon similarly administered gave lower tumour incidences, namely, 19.4% (3.2% fatal) and 11.9% (1.5% fatal) respectively. Only 1 out of 59 mice inoculated with the virus alone developed a palpable intraperitoneal tumour, and this regressed spontaneously within 10 days of its first appearance. No tumours were encountered in mice treated with either asbestos, quartz or carbon alone. All the neoplasms had the appearance, under the light microscope, of anaplastic sarcomas. Most of them were confined to the serosal surface of the abdominal cavity, although invasion of underlying tissues was observed in some of the animals that died. Electron microscopical examination of tumours revealed the presence of C-type particles budding off from cellular surface. Some neoplastic cells showed characteristic features of mesothelial lining cells. The role of milky spots (taches laiteuses) in oncogenesis by asbestos and virus, especially in the induction of mesothelioma, is discussed.