ATM-dependent spontaneous regression of early Eµ-myc-induced murine B-cell leukemia depends on natural killer and T cells.

Mechanisms of spontaneous tumor regression have been difficult to characterize in a systematic manner due to their rare occurrence and the lack of model systems. Here, we provide evidence that early-stage B cells in Eµ-myc mice are tumorigenic and sharply regress in the periphery between 41 and 65 days of age. Regression depended on CD4(+), CD8(+), NK1.1(+) cells and the activation of the DNA damage response, which has been shown to provide an early barrier against cancer. The DNA damage response can induce ligands that enhance immune recognition. Blockade of DNAM-1, a receptor for one such ligand, impaired tumor regression. Hence, Eµ-myc mice provide a model to study spontaneous regression and possible mechanisms of immune evasion or suppression by cancer cells.