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Biological Behavior of MM1 Hamster Melanoma¹

Department of Pharmacology [L. R. S., C. W. B.], Division of Surgical Oncology [T. K. D. G., C. W. B.] and Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612

We have reported evidence recently for a high-affinity receptor for glucocorticoid Malignant Melanoma No. 1 hamster melanoma and suggested that tumor growth was facilitated by adrenal steroids. This report characterizes the behavior of Malignant Melanoma No. 1 following manipulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis in vivo. Bilateral adrenalectomy significantly retarded tumor growth. Hypophysectomy also significantly reduced tumor growth. Silastic implants of hydrocortisone in intact hamsters produced a dose (7 to 28 µg/day)-related increase in tumor growth. Implants releasing a low dose (3 µg/day) of dexamethasone also increased tumor growth. Chronic exposure of adrenalectomized and intact hamsters to a high dose (125 µg/day) of desoxycorticosterone acetate also produced a significant increase over adrenalectomized and shamadrenalectomized controls. In contrast, chronic administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone and -melanocyte-stimulating hormone to intact hamsters did not significantly alter melanoma growth. These observations support the suggestion that adrenocorticosteroids influence the growth of Malignant Melanoma No. 1 hamster melanoma and provide a model for studying the regulation of growth of a glucocorticoid-positive neoplasm originating outside the reticuloendothelial system.

¹ This study was supported by the Cancer Research Fund, Carol Thomas Brigham Fund, and NIH Grant BRSG 7870. This is Paper 1, Effect of Adrenal Manipulation of Tumor Growth, of a series.

² Submitted as partial fulfillment of requirements for Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, Ill. Present address: Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132.

³ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois Medical Center, P. O. Box 6998, Chicago, Ill. 60680.

Received 4/23/81. Accepted 1/ 5/82.