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Immune-based resistance to the formation of v-src-induced distal tumors
M S Halpern1, T W Wisner, I P Brown
1Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
Abstract:
Although v-src, the oncogene of Rous sarcoma virus, has been shown to be capable of inducing lethal tumors at visceral sites distal to the primary tumor mass, the mechanisms opposing visceral tumor formation remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we show that visceral tumors, many of which represent a metastasis spawned by the primary mass, are found only in hosts exhibiting reduced levels of tumor immunity. We conclude that it is the weakness of the tumor immune response, rather than a lack of expression of tumor antigen on visceral tumor cells, that is a major underpinning of the formation of v-src-induced visceral tumors.
Insights
Weakened tumor immunity, not antigen expression, drives visceral tumor formation in v-src oncogene models. Reduced immune response is key to metastasis development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- The Rous sarcoma virus v-src oncogene can cause lethal visceral tumors distant from the primary tumor.
- Mechanisms preventing visceral tumor formation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors contributing to the formation of v-src-induced visceral tumors.
- To determine whether tumor immunity or tumor antigen expression is critical in preventing visceral tumor development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of visceral tumor formation in hosts with varying levels of tumor immunity.
- Assessment of tumor antigen expression on visceral tumor cells.
Main Results:
- Visceral tumors were predominantly found in hosts with diminished tumor immunity.
- Reduced tumor immunity, not lack of tumor antigen expression, correlated with visceral tumor presence.
- Many visceral tumors originated as metastases from the primary tumor mass.
Conclusions:
- Weakened host anti-tumor immune response is a primary factor in the development of v-src-induced visceral tumors.
- The presence of tumor antigens on visceral tumor cells is not the main determinant in preventing their formation.