Search

In Friend virus leukemia, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA) delays the neoplastic transformation of the reticulum cells in the spleen, as shown by histologic examination, and decrease in virus titer, and suppresses their maturation to erythroblastic cells as shown by histologic examination and absence of erythroblasts in the peripheral blood. DMBA also lowers the elevated white blood cell count. Splenectomy alone prolongs the survival time in Friend virus leukemia, but it produces a rapidly fatal profound anemia when combined with DMBA, probably because of damage to the bone marrow.

BALB/c mice with Friend virus leukemia showed (i) a decreased carbon uptake by spleen and liver, observed histologically and measured by the corrected phagocytic index α, in spite of an increased total carbon clearance measured by the phagocytic index K, and (ii) a decreased serum hemolysin titer. Treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) increased the carbon uptake by spleen and liver and the serum hemolysin titer. This corresponds to the previously described effect of DMBA on Friend virus leukemia as expressed in the blood picture and the delay in the neoplastic transformation of the spleen causing a prolonged latent period and survival time and a decreased spleen weight. DMBA alone had no effect on carbon clearance and serum hemolysin titer in normal mice.

To the Editor.—Fiechtner and Reyes recently reported (236:1704,1976) four cases of hepatic angiosarcoma occurring within 224 km of Marshfield, Wis, during the period June 1973 to November 1975. We would like to report a case of angiosarcoma involving spleen, liver, and peritoneum that was seen in January 1976 in a boy living within 426 km of Marshfield, Wis.Report of Case.—A 13-year-old boy was referred in August 1976. He had had an operation on July 24, 1976, for abdominal pain, and numerous tumor nodules had been found adherant to bowel, in the greater omentum, the gastrocolic ligament, and at the tail of the pancreas. The tissue was diagnosed as angiosarcoma.The spleen had been removed in January 1976 because of traumatic rupture; on review, it was found to contain angiosarcoma.A liver scan showed multiple tumor nodules. Lung tomograms and bone survey and scan were normal.He was