Trace elements improve survival of DTIC-treated mice with overt liver metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma.

Trace elements have been previously shown to have specific antimetastatic effects in a mouse 3LLHH liver metastasis model. Here we have analyzed the effect on the survival of animals with liver metastases. Trace elements administered per os at 500-5000 mg/kg/day did not affect the survival of animals with liver metastases. However, when trace element treatment was combined with dacarbazine (DTIC) administration, the survival of animals was significantly improved (55%). This effect was specific for DTIC since trace elements did not influence the effect of 5-fluorouracil on survival in this liver metastasis model. These data and those found in the literature all suggest that trace elements can specifically modulate the antitumoral/antimetastatic effects of chemotherapeutic agents.