Chemotherapy of human cancer transplants with methotrexate (amethopterin) and horse serum

Abstract

Horse serum administered in addition to methotrexate did not enhance its antitumor chemotherapeutic effect. Both a human melanoma (ME‐1) and a human thyroid carcinoma (Pitt‐41) transplanted in hamster cheek pouches showed significantly reduced growth rates after methotrexate. The ME‐1 tumor escaped from the drug effect at the end of the transplantation period while the Pitt‐41 tumor growth remained repressed. Mortality was increased after the use of horse serum or the largest doses of methotrexate. Copyright © 1966 American Cancer Society