Effects of Cortisone on Chemical Carcinogenesis in Hamster Pouch and Submandibular Salivary Gland

¹ University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cancer was readily induced in the hamster pouch and submandibular gland by administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz()anthracene dissolved in liquid petrolatum. Cortisone, when topically applied prior to the application of carcinogen, appeared to have enhanced the incidence of tumor formation. Cortisone, on the other hand, when injected locally into the submandibular salivary gland of the hamster, prior to the injection of carcinogen, appeared to inhibit the development of malignancy. The contradictory results, in the two experiments as well as in the literature, could be attributed, in part, to the mode of administration of cortisone and to the role of 24-hour periodicity in the incidence of induced tumors.