Abstract
Modulation of thymic natural killer (NK) cell activity by the serum thymic factor (thymulin or FTS-Zn) was demonstrated in mice carrying the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL). Thymulin decreased the increased NK activity found in amputated (tumor) tumor-bearing mice and induced a significant NK activity in nonamputated mice, normally devoid of such activity. Zinc had no effect in either case. Histological studies revealed that zinc prevented the tumor-induced thymic atrophy. A clear-cut decrease in the number of lung metastases was observed in zinc-treated mice. This effect was suppressed by concomitant administration of thymulin to amputated mice. The thymic dependency of the antimetastatic action of zinc as well as the mode of action of thymulin on NK cell activity in tumor-bearing animals is discussed.
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