Oral administration of a trace element preparation and zinc inhibit liver metastasis of 3LL-HH murine tumor cells.

A trace element preparation (TEP-Beres Drops Plus) was given to liver metastasizing 3LL-HH tumor bearing mice in the presence and after the removal of the primary spleen tumor. In both models when TEP was provided daily and orally in a dose range of 100-5,000 microgram/kg, the number of liver metastasis decreased at an end-point of day 14 and TEP also had inhibitory effect on the primary tumor. The antitumor action proved to be dependent on tumor burden. There was no change in body weight, size distribution of metastases and in the life span of mice. Zn++ could be one of the antimetastatic components among the trace elements. This is the first report on the antimetastatic effect of trace elements in an experimental tumor model.