Studies on the immune responses of BALB/c mice during tumor induction by mineral oil

The immune responses to a number of different antigens were tested under the influence of mineral oil treatment in two strains of mice: BALB/c, which is susceptible to oncogenesis by intraperitoneal administration of oil, and C57Bl, which is resistant. A limited, but general, immunological depression was elicited by the oil treatment in the BALB/c, but not in the C57Bl, animals. Immunogenicity studies on tumors induced by mineral oil in BALB/c mice suggest that this category of neoplasms also possesses tumor‐associated antigenicity. The findings are discussed in relation to the role which may be played by dysfunction of the immune response in carcinogenic action.