THE EFFECT OF A GROWTH-RETARDING FACTOR FROM NORMAL TISSUES ON SPONTANEOUS CANCER OF MICE

Extracts of desiccated homologous embryo skin and placenta decrease markedly the rate of postoperative local recurrence after the surgical removal of spontaneous cancer of mice. Autografts after a short period of contact with these extracts either failed to grow, or, in the majority of instances, their subsequent growth was definitely retarded. Intraperitoneal injection of the extracts was followed by cessation of growth of established tumors in more than two-thirds of the animals treated, and among these many of the tumors regressed and over 20 per cent were completely absorbed. Tumor mice treated with either extract rarely developed new malignant foci, though this happened frequently in untreated mice.