Induced regression of bovine papillomas by intralesional immunotherapy.

It has long been assumed that papilloma regression is mediated by immunological mechanisms which are probably cellular in nature. The potentiation of these responses may alter the course of papilloma progression. Certain strains of the bacterium Corynebacterium parvum (Propionibacterium acnes) have been shown to augment cellular immune mechanisms by increasing both macrophage and natural killer cell activity. This study involves the use of naturally occurring bovine papillomas to investigate the immune mechanisms involved in induced papilloma regression. Papillomas were treated by intralesional injection of a C. parvum suspension. Treated papillomas were biopsied at various stages of regression. Tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to identify specific infiltrating cells. Results showed that intralesional administration of C. parvum was capable of inducing regression of bovine papillomas in 8-15 weeks. Immunological staining revealed that regression was associated with an increased number of CD8+ and gamma delta+ cells in the dermis, as well as a marked infiltration of neutrophils.