THE EFFECT OF SHARK CARTILAGE EXTRACTS ON THE GROWTH AND METASTATIC SPREAD OF THE SCCVII CARCINOMA

This study was designed to investigate the potential of shark cartilag e extracts to inhibit the growth and metastatic spread of a murine sol id tumour. The SCCVII carcinoma, implanted in the right rear foot of C 3H mice, was used. Following tumour implantation, two different commer cially available extracts of shark cartilage (Sharkilage and MIA Shark Powder) were dissolved in water and orally administered to the mice a t doses that ranged from 5 to 100 mg per mouse. These injections were repeated on a daily basis for up to 25 days post-implantation of the p rimary tumour. Compared to non-drug-treated animals, daily administrat ion of the shark cartilage extracts did not show any adverse toxicity (as measured by changes in body weight and lethality). More importantl y, none of the shark cartilage doses tested had any retarding effect o n the growth of the primary tumour, nor did they inhibit the developme nt of metastases seen in the lungs of the tumour-bearing mice at autop sy. In conclusion, our results offer no support for the proposed use o f shark cartilage extracts as an anti-cancer therapy.