Betty J. Stover

Chemotherapy of the Transplantable Adenocarcinoma (R-3327) of the Copenhagen Rat

A number of therapeutic agents including L-asparaginase, Actinomycin-D, CCNU, Hydroxyurea, 5-FU, Cis-platinum, Cyclophosphamide, orchiectomy, Adriamycin and DES alone and in various combinations has been applied against the Dunning R-3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma subline G. We have found a parallel between the results of this study and those of similar therapeutic application to the human tumor. We conclude that this animal model may prove to be a useful screening system for agents against human prostatic cancer.

Investigation of different combinations of estrogen therapy and radiation therapy on prostatic adenocarcinoma (R-3327).

The relative effectiveness of different combinations of estrogen therapy and radiation therapy against the R-3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma of the Copenhagen rat was studied. Because of similar actions of estrogens and radiation in the cell cycle, and possibly antagonistic effects reported in the clinical literature, we looked for an antagonism between these two therapeutic modalities. Radiation therapy consistently showed a greater tumor inhibitory effect than estrogen therapy alone at the dose tested. Combinations of radiation therapy with hormonal manipulation did not appear to show a greater inhibition of tumor growth than radiation therapy alone. There also did not appear to be an antagonistic effect between these two modalities in this system.

Animal model to study megaureters non-invasively.

Abstract A rabbit model with megaureters with partial or complete obstruction was produced. Radioisotope studies with the use of imaging and renogram techniques and furosemide diuresis could diagnose the existence of obstruction and qualify it as partial or complete. This model can be used for more detailed studies to investigate obstructive uropathy with diuresis renography.

Effects of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist [D-leu6, desgly-NH210, proethylamide9]-GnRH (leuprolide) on R3327-G rat prostatic tumor growth

The synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist [D-leu6, desgly-NH2(10), proethylamide9]-GnRH (leuprolide) was tested for its ability to inhibit androgen-sensitive R3327-G rat prostatic tumor growth in Copenhagen X Fischer F1 male rats. The chronic administration of leuprolide at 50 micrograms per kg. body weight or 1000 micrograms per kg. body weight significantly reduced serum testosterone levels and testis weights. Only chronic leuprolide administration at high concentration (1000 micrograms per kg.) compared with orchiectomy in reducing the rate of tumor growth, prolonging survival, and affecting changes in DNA content per cell as quantitated by flow cytometry. The DNA content changes and cell kinetic responses of R3327-G tumors to these treatments were related to the extent to which serum testosterone levels were reduced. The data suggest that for some prostatic cancers gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration must reduce serum testosterone levels to those achieved by orchiectomy for maximal growth rate inhibition.