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Tissue copper content has been evaluated in 4 murine mammary adenocarcinomas, 1 murine lung adenocarcinoma and their respective metastases. Histochemical techniques have been used to analyze copper distribution in tumor tissues. It is observed that the degree of copper staining is inversely related to tumor differentiation. As the copper level reflects one of the metabolic changes in the host carrying the tumor, it is suggested that it could be used as a good marker for tumor differentiation.

The interferon production ability by leukocytes in vitro from 37 patients with mammary cancer was studied. The leukocytes were derived from patients between 27 and 80 years of age, 6 months and up to 28 years after removal of the primary tumor. The interferon titer of 34/37 human breast cancer leukocytes was 2–8 times lower than that of 35 normal donor leukocytes and 3 non-neoplastic diseases. No correlation between interferon titers, the patient's age, and the histologic tumor features was observed; however, interferon production was observed to return to normal in those patients who had a long remission period or whose tumors were locally confined. Interferon response of patients under different therapy was modified: radiotherapy affected interferon production more severely than chemotherapy. A tendency for association between the skin DNCB test and interferon response was found. An inverse correlation was observed between interferon titers and the PHA-induced transformation index.