EFFECT OF PODOPHYLLIN ON TRANSPLANTED MOUSE TUMORS

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of South Carolina, Charleston

1. Podophyllin chspersed in sesame oil, given subcutaneously in doses of 20 mgm. per kgm. to mice bearing implants of sarcoma 180 or a mammary adenocarcinoma, produced retardation of tumor growth. The terminal volume of the sarcoma was about one-seventh and that of the carcinoma about two-thirds of their respective controls.

2. Extensive induced necrosis was the most prominent histologic finding for both types of tumors.

3. Characteristic nuclear changes found in both kinds of tumors were diminution in mitoses, pycnosis, and karyorrhexis. Arrest of mitosis, before the metaphase, was also found in both types, and resembled colchicine effects.

4. Hydropic degeneration and vacuolization of the cytoplasm was more evident in sarcoma 180.

5. Resistance to repeated administration does not appear to develop, judged by the appearance of the tumors after several injections of the drug.

Dr. W. M. Cannon, Department of Pathology, Medical College of the State of South Carolina, assisted in the interpretation of the microscopic material and this cooperation is gratefully acknowledged.