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Immunoprotection by embryonal carcinoma cells for methyl-cholanthrene-induced murine sarcomas

Abstract

METHYLCHOLANTHRENE-induced sarcomas of mice (MCS) usually have transplantation antigens specific to each independently arising tumour1. These antigens, defined by in vivo protection assays, are different from those defined serologically as viral2 or embryonic antigens3,4. The latter, common to most sarcomas, seem to contribute little in transplantation assays as cross protection is rare and weak1,5. The occasional success in protecting against sarcoma growth by previous immunisation with cells of mid-term embryos4,6 encourages the search for more effective ways of using common embryonic antigens for this purpose. We show here that effective immunisation against several different non-cross-reacting sarcomas, including one not immunogenic itself, can be achieved with embryonal carcinoma cells. These cells are the stem cells of a teratocarcinoma and show remarkable similarities to the pluripotent cells of early mouse embryos with regard to cell surface antigens7 as well as in morphological and biochemical properties8.

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SIKORA, K., STERN, P. & LENNOX, E. Immunoprotection by embryonal carcinoma cells for methyl-cholanthrene-induced murine sarcomas. Nature 269, 813–815 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/269813a0

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