The effect of pilocarpine on tumor growth.

The administration of pilocarpine has been shown to increase tissue levels of specific proteins in several biological systems, possibly by exerting an effect on protein synthesis. Litarczek has shown that the administration of pilocarpine causes an increased antibody production in rabbits given inoculations of typhus bacillus (6), and recent investigations have indicated that an in creased accumulation of active enzyme occurs in the rat submaxillary glands during pilocarpine stimulation (9). On the basis of the apparent stimulation of protein synthesis in these systems, it was considered of interest to investigate the ef fects of this agent on tumor growth. The results of this investigation show that an inhibition of tumor growth and increase in life span of tumorbearing mice occur under the influence of pilo carpine administration. It appears possible that the mechanism responsible for this effect involves increased activity of an immune response.