Antitumor Antibodies and Immunoglobulin Class and Subclass Levels in Corynebacterium Parvum -Treated Mice

Abstract

Changes in immunoglobulin class and subclass levels and the development of antitumor antibodies were assessed in normal and tumor-bearing mice challenged with Corynebacteriutn parvum. C. parvum administration resulted in a marked increase in certain immunoglobulin levels, especially IgG_2b, and in the development of antibodies reacting with syngeneic and allogeneic tumor cells. The serologic changes induced by C. parvum were dependent on the dose and route of administration; preliminary studies suggested that they may have been largely independent of T-cell function. These changes were suppressed by the administration of gold salts, which also inhibited the antitumor effect of C. parvum.