Modulation of murine melanoma growth by naloxone

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, on the growth of B16 melanoma, a murine tumor known to possess opioid receptors. Naloxone inhibited the growth of B16 melanoma in vitro when monolayer cultures were continuously exposed to concentrations of ≥0.25 mg/ml. Tumor cell proliferation as measured by [ 3H]thymidine ([ 3H]Tdr) incorporation is reduced by a continuous 48-h treatment with ≥0.025 mg/ml but slightly enhanced by a 6-h treatment. The administration of naloxone to mice caused a transient inhibition of subcutaneous local tumor growth at doses of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg daily. At a dose of 10 mg/kg daily, naloxone caused a slight reduction in the number of pulmonary metastases following the intravenous inoculation of tumor cells. The mechanism by which naloxone inhibits tumor growth in vivo is not clear, but factors other than direct cytotoxicity may also be involved. The results further support the role of the endogenous opioid system in the modulation of tumor growth.