On the value of thymectomy in adult mice as a means of potentiating the immunosuppressive action of Melphalan (L-phenylalanine mustard)

Thymectomy has been found to be ineffective as a means of potentiating the immunosuppressive action of Melphalan in adult CBA-p mice challenged with A-strain mammary carcinoma transplants. This was true when the thymectomy was performed 2 days, 4 weeks or 7 weeks prior to injection of a single dose (15 mg/kg body weight) of Melphalan, administered 24 hours prior to tumour transplantation, and also when thymectomy was combined with multiple doses of Melphalan given before and after tumour transplantation. These findings are discussed.