INDUCTION OF TUMOURS IN MICE AND RATS WITH FERRIC SODIUM GLUCONATE AND IRON DEXTRAN GLYCEROL GLYCOSIDE

Five out of 20 mice which received 17 once-weekly subcutaneous injections of ferric sodium gluconate (total 1 ml.) developed spindle cell or pleomorphic sarcomas at the injection site. Ten out of 24 rats which received 25 once-weekly injections of 05 ml. of another proprietary preparation-iron dextran glycerol glycoside-also developed local sarcomas; in addition, 2 developed local fibromas. Of 104 mice given 5 injections of 0.1 ml., 8 injections of 0·2 ml. or 29 injections of 0 05 ml. of the same preparation, only 1 developed a neoplasm at the site of injection. Differences between mice and rats in their response to injected iron compounds are discussed and the apparent rarity of local fibromas in mice is emphasised. © 1968, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.