Modification of the State of Adrenergic Systems: Effects on Experimental Tumor Growth and Antitumor Activity of Chlofiden

We studied the effects of treatments with adrenaline hydrochloride, obsidan (a β-adrenoblocker), melipramine (an inhibitor of monoamine uptake by neurons), and reserpine (a sympatholytic drug) on tumor growth (Pliss' lymphosarcoma in rats) and on the antitumor activity of a novel cytostatic drug, chlofiden. We found that adrenaline and reserpine enhanced the antitumor effect of chlofiden. Isolated applications of adrenaline and melipramine exerted slight antitumor effects, while after reserpine treatment there was a trend toward stimulation of tumor growth. Under the conditions of the model used, obsidan demonstrated no noticeable antitumor activity and did not modify the antitumor effect of chlofiden. Possible mechanisms of the observed effects are discussed.