Modulation of growth of melanoma.

Combined heparin-cortisone treatment induces regression of growth in a variety of murine tumors including melanoma. We injected 92 inbred C 57 b1/6 male mice each with 5 X 10(5) melanoma cells (B16, B16 F1, and B16 A6 lines) with different metastatic potential. Heparin (400 U/ml) and cortisone acetate (250 mg/kg SC injections) were given daily. Control experiments were performed both with the administration of no drugs and with administration of cortisone alone. Plasminogen activator activity, which is notoriously related to tumor growth, was evaluated using fibrin plate technique in 10 fragments taken before and 20 days after the combined heparin-cortisone treatment of B16 F1 and B16 A6 melanomas. The combined heparin-cortisone treatment slowed tumor growth, but no tumour regression was observed. Cutaneous fibrinolytic activity appeared increased in all specimens after the treatment.