Histone H1 modulates immune status in experimental breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer chemotherapy aims at employing cytotoxic agents that swing the balance between tumor cell invasion and host immune cells in favor of the latter. This study aimed at assessing the effect of exogenous histone H1 in maintaining the immune status of animals in experimental breast cancer taking advantage of its tumor-suppressive activity.


METHODS
Histone H1 was injected intratumorally as a single injection in tumor-bearing animals. Tumor response was assessed from changes in tumor volume, survival time and the immune status of animals from total and differential blood cell counts, levels of circulating immune complexes, thromboxane B2 and IgA in serum. Immune response was assessed from the macrophage count in the tumor and peritoneal exudates after activation.


RESULTS
Histone H1 treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth, enhanced mean survival time and significantly improved the immune response and status.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that histone H1 plays a vital role in maintaining the immune status.
D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000097:blood
D006657:Histones; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D013929:Thromboxane B2