Systemic Stress as an Inhibitor of Experimental Tumors in Swiss Mice

Abstract

On the principle that the known''effects of systemic stress are largely catabolic, and might be expected, therefore, to inhibit the growth of tumors, ascites tumors and methylcholanthrene-sarcomas were induced in different exptl. groups of Swiss mice during a time of continued stress (daily forced swimming). As compared with controls with similarly induced neoplasms but not subject to stress, the exptl. animals appeared to have an early protection against growth of the neoplasms, but the cumulative mortality for the 2 groups is approx. equal. It is possible that less stress, and thus less exhaustion, would have been of greater benefit to the exptl. group.