Local adoptive transfer of the antitumor cellular immune response in syngeneic and allogeneic mice studied with a rapid radioisotopic footpad assay.

The immunologic nature of the cellular immune response against tumor cells inoculated in the footpad of mice was studied with a rapid, quantitative, and specific assay. The results indicate: a) The antitumor cellular immune response could be transferred adoptively in syngeneic and allogeneic mice with specific immune thymus (T) lymphocytes isolated on nylon columns; b) T-independent cells of host origin were necessary for the manifestation of the antitumor footpad reaction; and c) there was a close correlation between immune responses detected by the footpad assay and those detected by transplantation techniques. The footpad reaction consisted of several nonspecific and specific components. Nonspecific factors disturbing the specific footpad reaction in syngeneic and allogeneic recipients were discussed.