Prostaglandin Production by Experimental Tumours and Effects of Anti-inflammatory Compounds

THE presence of small quantities of prostaglandin-like material has been demonstrated in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid1 and in Kaposi's sarcoma2; the diarrhoea often associated with these tumours has been attributed to prostaglandins. Diarrhoea is also often present in mice bearing the BP8 P1 tumour. Preliminary investigations of the ascitic fluid from mice inoculated with this tumour showed the presence of pharmacologically active substances and prostaglandin E2-like activity was found in small amounts3. Subsequent examination of the BP8 P1 cells has revealed concentrations of prostaglandin E2 in excess of 100 times that of the fluid. Significant amounts have also been found in another tumour, sarcoma 180 (S180).