Dopamine: a novel antitumor agent active against B-16 melanoma in vivo.
L-dopa methyl ester has been shown to be an effective antitumor agent against the B-16 melanoma in vivo. We have now examined the analog, dopamine, a major catabolite of L-dopa. Dopamine administration at a daily dose of 600 mg/kg resulted in a 48% (p less than .001) increase in survival of treated mice as compared to non-treated controls. In vitro, an effect similar to that observed with L-dopa methyl ester was noted, specifically, a rapid and profound inhibition of thymidine incorporation with little effect on uridine or leucine incorporation. We have postulated that the inhibition of a DNA polymerase might be the site of action of these novel antitumor agents.
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014529:Uridine / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007930:Leucine; D013936:Thymidine; D004298:Dopamine; D014529:Uridine