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Dose-related inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis in mouse skin by caffeine

Nature volume 252, pages 69–70 (1974)Cite this article

Abstract

THERE is some evidence that caffeine protects against the effects of chemical carcinogens1,2. Leitner and Shear3 found a reduction in the effectiveness of benzo(a)pyrene as a carcinogen when it was administered by subcutaneous injection together with various purines, including caffeine. An enhancement of the antitumour effect of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea by caffeine has been reported4 but whether the caffeine acts as an anticarcinogen or as a membrane-active agent (a property of caffeine which has been demonstrated5) is not clear. Tumour production in vivo has been shown to be partially suppressed by theophylline6 and it is possible that caffeine which is chemically closely related to theophylline may similarly suppress tumour production.

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  1. K. ROTHWELL

    Present address: , 45 Aspin Park Road, Knaresborough, Yorkshire, UK

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  1. Tobacco Research Council, Glen House, Stag Place, London, SW1E 5AG, UK

    K. ROTHWELL

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  1. K. ROTHWELL
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ROTHWELL, K. Dose-related inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis in mouse skin by caffeine. Nature 252, 69–70 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252069a0

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