Action of Bacterial Polysaccharide on Tumors. I. Reduced Growth of Sarcoma 37, and Induced Refractoriness, by <italic>Serrafia</italic> Morcescens Polysaccharide

Abstract

The growth rate of Sarcoma 37 in mice given the tumor-necrotizing polysaccharide from Serratia marcescens was compared with that in untreated mice. Tumor growth was retarded by a single dose of microgram quantities of this polysaccharide. Subsequent doses, however, failed to interrupt growth a second time. Possible mechanisms for the induction of this refractoriness are discussed.