Regression of lymphosarcoma by treatment with acetylsalicylic acid in rats

Increased synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) may be an important promoting factor in the development of lymphosarcoma. Thus, inhibition of PG synthesis may represent a logical way of controlling the growth of lymphosarcomatous cells. In order to verify this hypothesis, two groups of rats with lymphosarcoma have been used: the test-group received acetyl salicylic acid (54 mg/animal/day) and the control-group received the same quantity of physiological saline solution. After 4 days of treatment, the lymph nodes stopped growing in the test-group. Microscopic and electron microscopic examinations of lymph node sections were carried out after 11 days of treatment. These showed for the test-group the disappearance of the characteristics of malignancy.