The role of prostaglandins in the development of malignant melanoma in hamsters

Abstract

A deficiency of prostaglandins (especially of group E) could be an important factor in the genesis and evolution of malignant melanoma. Compensation for such a deficit would be a logical way of medically treating this tumour. In order to test this hypothesis two groups of hamsters bearing malignant melanomas were used. The first group was treated locally with PGE2 while the other group received control injections. After 12 days tumour growth in the PG test group was sharply reduced in comparison with the controls. Tumour growth resumed when PG treatment was stopped.