INDUCTION OF LAMBDA-BACTERIOPHAGE IN ESCHERICHIA COLI AS A SCREENING TEST FOR POTENTIAL ANTITUMOR AGENTS.

A simple, rapid, quantitative test procedure to measure induction of phage production in lysogenic Escherichia coli K-12 (lambda) was described. This test was used in a study of 209 substances, including antibiotics, pyrimirines, purines, alkylating agents, thiols, amino acids, vitamins, and miscellaneous compounds. Minimal inducing concentrations for the 26 (12.5% of total tested) substances found to be effective inducing agents, as well as a listing of the inactive compounds, are presented. Since 21 of the 26 active agents reportedly have antineoplastic activity in rodent tumor systems, it was concluded that the induction test may provide a useful screen for the detection of potentially useful antitumor compounds.