Nb rat prostate adenocarcinoma model: metastasis.

The Nb rat prostate adenocarcinomas - androgen insensitive II and III - were utilized in three experiments utilizing protamine sulfate, persantine (dipyridamole), and heparin-cortisone combination as agents evaluated for their ability to affect the incidence of systemic metastasis in this animal model. The results indicate that all agents tested were effective in reducing metastasis; protamine and persantine (10 mg/kg/day) being the most effective with 0% metastasis. In addition, animals treated with protamine had a statistically significant decrease in tumor volume. The mechanism responsible for this decrease remains unclear at present.