THE EFFECT OF BLOOD-TRANSFUSION ON TUMOR-GROWTH IN SARCOMA-BEARING RATS

Background: The effect of blood transfusion on tumor growth is controv ersial. Under experimental conditions, even similar animal models can give varied results. This study was undertaken to characterize the nat ure of the effect of blood transfusion on tumor growth. Methods: Sixty -five Fischer 344 rats subcutaneously implanted with a methylcholanthr ene-induced sarcoma were studied with additive blood transfusion at 1% tumor burden in two separate experiments. In experiment 1, the effect s of syngeneic fresh whole blood transfusion (5, 10, and 15 ml/kg) and allogeneic (5 ml/kg) were tested. To determine if stored blood influe nced the results, experiment 2 was performed with syngeneic blood tran sfusion (15 ml/kg) and allogeneic blood transfusion at 5 ml/kg. Tumor dimensions were determined daily by external measurement, and tumor we ight and growth rate were calculated. Results: No significant differen ces in final tumor weights or tumor growth rates were found in transfu sed rats compared with controls. This held true for syngeneic blood tr ansfusion regardless of dose, allogeneic blood transfusion, and regard less of whether the blood was fresh or stored. Conclusions: Additive b lood transfusion does not affect tumor growth in this animal model. Th is finding, together with the general inconclusiveness in the reported literature on this topic, speaks against a dominant role for the effe ct of blood transfusion on tumor behavior.