Effect of homologous tumor DNA on the evolution of SV40-induced hamster sarcoma

DNA extracted from SV40-induced hamster sarcoma (SV40--HS DNA) increased the survival length of animals carrying the homologous tumor and--in some cases--inhibited the development of the tumor. The efficacy of the preparation was directly proportional to the number of administrations; it did not necessarily depend on the amount of SV40--HS DNA per dose. SV40 DNA had no favourable effect on the evolution of the SV40-induced tumor, which suggests that viral DNA does not represent the active component of the SV40--HS DNA preparations. Some possible mechanisms of the effect of homologous tumor preparations are discussed.