Experimental studies were performed to observe the effects of anticancer agents on the
immune response in the rabbit. Horse serum immunization and the injection of
anticancer agents were continued for 3 weeks with controlled intervals.
The
pyroninophilic cells in the spleen, mesenteric lymphnodes and thymus were counted for
the indication of antibody formation. The following results and conclusion were obtained.
1) Injections of anticancer agents show an increased number of pyroninophilic cells in
the spleen and lymphnodes. The degree of this increase is highest in the mitomycin C
treated group, and follows 6Mp, 5Fu, methotrexate, nitromin and nitrogen mustard
treated groups in decreasing order.
2) Injections of anticancer agents with horse serum immunization show remarkable
decrease of the pyroninophilic cells in the spleen and lymphnodes. This effect is most
conspicuous in methotrexate and nitrogenmustacd treated group, less conspicuous in
nitromin, 6MP and 5Fu treated group, and inconspicuous in mitomycin Ctreated group.
3) It may be concluded that the anticancer agents have inhibitory effects on the
experimental antibody formation and the degree of this inhibitory effects is conspicuous
in methotrexate, nitrogen mustard, nitromin, 6MP. 5Fu, and Mitomycin C in decreasing
order.
4) The pyroninophilic cells in the thymus is neglisible in number in all experimental
groups of rabbits.
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