Suppressor T lymphocytes control the development of primary skin cancers in ultraviolet-irradiated mice.

Exposure of mice to ultraviolet radiation results in the development of suppressor T lymphocytes in lymphoid organs, followed by the appearance of primary skin cancers. The presence or absence of these suppressor lymphocytes determines whether or not primary cancers will develop in the ultraviolet-irradiated skin. This demonstrates the importance of immunological regulatory pathways in carcinogenesis and provides an example of immunological surveillance.