EFFECT OF HALOPERIDOL ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOLID EHRLICH TUMOR IN MICE

We determined the effect of 13 days of treatment with 2.0 mg/kg halope ridol (s.c) on the development of the Ehrlich solid carcinoma, after i noculation of 1.5 x 10(6) Ehrlich ascites tumor cells into the left fo otpad of mice. The footpad thickness of haloperidol treated animals wa s significantly smaller than control from day two after tumor inoculat ion, to the end of the experiment. Histopathological examination showe d that haloperidol treated mice apparently presented less necrotic are as within the tumor mass as well as less invasion of subepithelial con nective tissue and other adjacent structures. In particular, in compar ison with the control group, no nerve bundles were invaded by neoplast ic cells in experimental mice. The possible mechanism underlying these results is discussed in light of the specific pharmacological propert ies of this neuroleptics drug.