Inhibition of Walker 256 Carcinosarcoma Growth by Dietary Zinc Deficiency

Abstract

The zinc requirements of neoplastic growth were evaluated by comparing growth of a transplanted tumor (Walker 256 carcinosarcoma) in rats on a zinc-deficient diet with growth of this tumor in pair-fed or weight-matched controls. Rats receiving a zinc-deficient diet showed marked reduction of tumor growth and this was accompanied by a striking increase in survival. Rats in the pair-fed or weight-matched groups showed a slight reduction in tumor growth compared with ad libitum-fed controls but this caloric restriction did not increase survival. These results are consistent with a zinc requirement for tumor growth and suggest the need for study of clinical correlations between tumor growth rate and plasma zinc levels.