Tests in Hamsters for Oncogenic Quality of Ordinary Viruses Including Adenovirus Type 7.

Abstract

Summary Studies were conducted to measure the in vivo oncogenic potential of a variety of “ordinary” viruses. Adenovirus 1, 2, 7, 12 and 18, influenza A2, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial, mumps, measles, rhinovirus 11, 23 and 30, poliovirus 3, salivary gland virus, varicella, pneumonia virus of mice, Rous sarcoma, visceral lym-phomatosis and resistance-inducing factor (avian leucosis) viruses were tested for ability to induce tumors in hamsters inoculated when newborn, A majority of animals given adenovirus types 12 or 18 developed tumors. Additionally, a portion of animals which received type 7 adenovirus developed sarcomas. Evidence is presented for the significance of type 7 adenovirus in tumor development. Two animals given Bryan's Rous sarcoma virus also developed sarcomas. None of the animals which received any of the other viruses presented significant evidence for induction of malignancy. Studies of additional viruses are in progress. Addendum: Since the time the present manuscript was submitted, type 7 Pickney virus was found to belong to adenovirus hemagglutinin group 1 in that it agglutinated rhesus but not rat erythrocytes. The strain was identified serologically with antisera to various type 7 adenoviruses and there was no serologic crossing with type 12 or 18 adenovirus. In a repeat experiment. 7 of 60 hamsters inoculated with type 7 Pinckney virus developed tumors to date. A portion of newborn hamsters inoculated with two additional type 7 adenoviruses, Grider and Champagne, have developed palpable masses resembling tumor, suggesting that tumori-genesis may be a generic quality of type 7 adenoviruses. The authors are indebted to W. Raupp, T. Bed-dow, and R. Grady for valuable technical assistance.