ADCC against hamster transplantable melanoma cells in relation to the diversity of their cell surface

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined in hamsters bearing two lines of transplantable melanomas of common origin but differing in surface glycoprotein contents, heterogeneity, antigenicity and immunogenicity. Amelanotic melanoma cell line, characterized by a higher growth rate and more prominent changes in surface glycoproteins, displayed statistically significant decrease in susceptibility of ADCC in comparison to the native line of the tumor. The relationship between changes in the surface glycoproteins of the target cells and the extent of specific lysis of melanoma cells was discussed.