EFFECT OF LOCAL TUMOR REMOVAL AND RETAINED ONCOLYSATE ON LUNG METASTASIS

We reported earlier that oncolysate retained in the excision wound of a local tumor inhibits growth of remote tumor in the rat. We further studied this effect on pulmonary metastasis. C57BL/6 mice were given B16 melanoma F10 cells subcutaneously into the gluteal area (Day 0) and then intravenously on Day 10. On Day 14, mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 received a sham operation and no further treatment. Tumors were excised in the remaining mice. Group 2 received tumor excision alone. Groups 3 and 4 received injections of freeze-lysed tumor cells (TC) and lysate modified (PTC) with a hapten, l-phenylalanine mustard (PhM), respectively, into excision wounds. On Day 24, metastases were assessed by determining metastatic burden. Average diameters of excised tumors in repeated experiments ranged from 8.7 to 10.9 mm. In repeat experiments, pulmonary metastatic burden increased by as much as 52 to 181% in the tumor excised group (Group 2) in comparison with those receiving sham surgery (Group 1). However, metastatic burden was always reduced in Group 3. An even greater reduction was seen in Group 4. To study the possible involvement of macrophages, the production of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and cytotoxicity of macrophages in these animals were examined. It was found that tumor excision enhanced PGE2 production by macrophages and suppressed their cytotoxicity, while TC inoculation prevented both of these changes. An even greater prevention was observed with PTC inoculation. These results indicate an association among macrophage cytotoxicity, PGE2 production of macrophages, and metastasis. In order to clarify the mechanism for these reactions, we did experiments using adherent splenic macrophages from the four groups of animals. When macrophages from each group were given iv (2 × 105 cells/mouse) to other groups of mice with pulmonary metastases, responses were similar to those for the donor animals. These results suggest that manipulation of a local tumor modulates the function of macrophages. Macrophages with modulated function may be involved directly or indirectly in enhancement or inhibition of pulmonary metastases. © 1992.