Is antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity an important mechanism of resistance to tumors in vivo?

Abstract

The ability of heterologous antibody toward tumor membrane antigens to suppress the growth of a spontaneous adenocarcinoma in tolerant adult and newborn mice was investigated. Preinoculation of specific antibody strongly enhanced the resistance of 12-week-old mice to subsequent tumor challenge. The antibody activity was specific since an unrelated tumor was not affected. It was also age-dependent, since newborn mice were not protected. The mechanisms involved in the suppression of this tumorin vivo are discussed.