Growth and treatment of B 16 melanoma in hyperglycemic mice

Melanoma B-16 grew slowly in mice with hyperglycemia induced by alloxan, glucagon, or glucose. The mechanism of retarded tumor growth is different and depends on the origin of hyperglycemia. The concentration of immunoreactive insulin in blood of mice with melanoma and in the tumor tissue is increased in nondiabetic as well as in diabetic mice. The chemotherapy of melanoma in diabetic mice is as effective as in nondiabetic mice whereas immunotherapy in diabetic mice is not effective. Combined chemoimmunotherapy of melanoma in diabetic mice is more effective than either therapy alone only when mice are given a daily dose of insulin.