Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
1. These observations seem to indicate that a single intramuscular injection of 2 mg of colchicine induces an arrest of nuclear division in the metaphase stage of human cancer. The number of cells in this stage increases slowly and the effect reaches a maximum between the 16th and 24th hours. The decline in number of metaphases is more gradual than the rise.
2.Repeated injections of colchicine in some patients after a relatively short rest period indicate a possible increased sensitivity to the drug.
3. Biopsies taken 48 to 12 hours after colchicine show an increase in hemorrhage, leucocytosis and some polyploid cells. Late telophases are occasionally observed in this colchicinized tissue.
4. The evidence presented here suggests the basis for further study of the effect of colchicine combined with other physical or chemical agents in the treatment of human cancer.
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