Dinitrochlorobenzene contact hypersensitivity in the hamster cheek pouch

Stimulation of cell mediated immunity has been reported to be effective in bringing about clinical regression of carcinomas. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the possibility of introducing cell mediated immunity into an experimental animal-chemical carcinogenesis system (dimethylbenzanthracene-hamster cheek pouch) to serve as a model for the study of immunotherapy of oral cancer in humans. Contact hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was induced in 17 Syrian hamsters via the abdominal skin. After secondary application of the allergen to the cheek pouch, local gross and histologic characteristics indicative of delayed hypersensitivity were observed. Control animals that had received only a primary or a secondary challenge with DNCB essentially showed no change. This study demonstrates that the buccal pouch of the Syrian hamster is capable of manifesting contact hypersensitivity to DNCB.