The early history of plasma cell tumors in mice, 1954-1976.

Plasma cell tumors (PCTs) in mice became available at an exciting period in immunology when many scientists and laboratories were occupied with how to explain the genetic basis of antibody diversity as well as antibody structure itself. An unlimited source of PCTs in an inbred strain of mice became a useful adjunct in these efforts. A PCT was a greatly expanded monoclone and a source of a single molecular species of immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule. The PCTs provided not only the components of the Ig-producing cell but also potentially functional secreted products. Many of the monoclonal Igs produced by PCTs in the mouse and others found in humans were found to have specific antigen-binding activities. These became the prototypes of monoclonal antibodies. This chapter describes the origins of PCTs in mice and attempts to recapture some of the ambience of the day albeit from personal recollection. The great discovery of the hybridoma technology by Cesar Milstein and Georges Kohler in 1975 began a new direction in immunology.

Tumors in the remains of ancient Egyptians.

A survey of the tumors found in the remains of the Ancient Egyptians shows the occurrence of all the kinds of tumors which would be expected to be preserved in the osteological evidence. On the other hand, findings of tumors in the soft tissues of mummies are only exceptional. The frequency of tumors seems to be lower than in recent years, probably because of the shorter mean duration of life. The pathological lesions preserved in bony sturcture reveal not only osseous tumors, but also the presence of some tumors of soft tissues eroding the bone. To the survey of cases described in the literature, original findings of a calcified myoma uteri and of a probably epipharyngeal carcinoma are added. Because our knowledge on the history of tumors is not yet comprehensive, much more attention should be devoted to the search for them, starting from the moment of excavation of any cemetary.