[Effect of dimethylbenzanthracene on lymphocytes of the peripheral blood in man]

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were subjected to the action--at first of phitohemagglutinin (PHA) and then of 9, 10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) in various concentrations. Lymphocytes subjected to the action of PHA and then of the DMBA (in a dose of 0.5 gamma/ml) continued to divide during the whole observation period (14 days). The action of DMBA on the intact lymphocytes not only failed to induce their division, but also eliminated their sensitivity to the subsequent action of PHA at least for several days. The results obtained are discussed from the aspect of general oncogenesis theory put forward earlier.