Inhibitory and Stimulatory Effects of Dianhydrogalactitol, an Alkylating Cytostatic Agent on the Humoral Immune Response

Abstract

The effect of an alkylating agent, dianhydrogalactitol (DAG), on the humoral immune response of C57B1 mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes was studied. Different inhibitory or stimulatory effects could be achieved by varying the time and the dose of drug administration. DAG in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg given either before or after immunization induced enhanced immune responses. Higher doses (>5 mg/kg) administered in the inductive phase had a marked suppressive effect while treatments at this dosage preceding immunization resulted in a stimulation. The functionally distinct cell populations acting in the immune response to sheep red blood cells are postulated to have different sensitivity to the drug.