Antimetastatic effect of triton WR 1339, a nonionic detergent, on rat ascites tumors.

The antimetastatic effect of Triton WR 1339 (TWR), a nonionic detergent, was evaluated in the rats bearing ascites tumor (Yoshida sarcoma or AH 66F). TWR did not inhibit the growth of primary tumor (ascites production). However, a marked inhibition of metastasis was observed in the lung and liver of rats treated with TWR. The results obtained suggest that TWR exerts antimetastatic effect before the entry of tumor cells into vascular channels. With other tests, it was found that TWR inhibits the release of tumor cells from tumor graft.