Effect of hydrocortisone on Ehrlich ascites tumor.

The effect of hydrocortisone acetate (HCA) on three cell lines of Ehrlich ascites tumors was investigated in four strains of mice. It was attempted to separate the immunological aspects from the hormonal influence in the cortisone treatment of the tumors. HCA significantly inhibited the growth of ascitic hypotetraploid Ehrlich stock in Swiss mice, and to a lesser extent that of ascitic hypotetraploid Ehrlich clone Ej and ascitic hyperdiploid Ehrlich ELD. HCA treatment prolonged the survival time of Swiss mice bearing ascitic Ehrlich stock, by 93 per cent for females and by 55 per cent for males. Little improvement was observed with ascitic Ehrlich clone E2. The life span of Swiss mice with ascitic Ehrlich ELD was shortened by 18 per cent for females and by 29 per cent for males by HCA treatment. It was concluded that the effect of HCA upon tumor growth is associated with: (a) the high sensitivity of specific cells to HCA, as shown in tissue culture; (6) the degree of compatibility of the tumor with the host; and (c) the dependency of tumor growth on gonadal influences.