Antitumor activity of tributyrin in murine melanoma model

Butyric acid has been known to inhibit growth and to induce differentiation of a variety of tumor cells. Butyrate-treated tumor cells have also been o bserved to undergo apoptosis. Although butyrate compounds have demonstrated antitumor activity in murine tumor models and have already been admitted t o clinical trials in tumor patients, the exact mechanism of their antitumor effects has not been elucidated. The results of our study showed antitumor activity of tributyrin, a butyric acid prodrug, in murine melanoma model a nd are strongly suggestive that antiangiogenic effects could participate in antitumor effects of butyrate compounds in vivo. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.