Resistance of Polyoma Virus Immune Animals to Transplanted Polyoma Tumors

Abstract

By producing an inapparent infection in adult hamsters or C57 mice with a single dose of diluted polyoma virus these animals subsequently manifest a relative resistance to transplantation of isologous polyoma fibrosarcomas. These sarcomas, although originally induced by virus inoculated into newborn animals, no longer contain any demonstrable virus or viral antigens. This resistance can be overcome if a large enough number of tumor cells are given in the challenge transplant; it is apparently specific for tumors of polyoma origin and would appear to be cell mediated since hyperimmune polyoma antiserum is not capable of transferring such resistance to normal mice.