Results of Investigations with Corynebacterium parvum in an Experimental Animal System

Abstract

Increasing evidence is accumulating from animal model systems (J. C. Fisher et al., 1970; Halpern et al., 1966; Smith and Scott, 1972; Woodruff and Boak, 1966) and from studies in patients (Israel, 1973; Israel and Halpern, 1972; Israel and Edelstein, 1973), to suggest that various strains of anaerobic coryneforms are capable of tumor-growth inhibition. Mice harboring an array of experimental tumors have received Corynebacterium parvum as the only form of therapy by various routes and at a multiplicity of times. Although the experimental models varied greatly, there were certain conditions in which C. parvum afforded a degree of host protection. All investigators have reported that growth of tumors was more readily inhibited when C. parvum was administered to mice prior to, at, or shortly after tumor-cell inoculation. Practically no evidence has been presented to demonstrate its effectiveness when given to mice with established, visible, palpable, or measurable tumors.