Figure 1. Tacrolimus inhibited the growth rate of MMTV-neu transgenic mouse tumors.

MMTV-neu transgenic mice were treated with tacrolimus 3 mg/kg/day i.p., no treatment control, 20% intralipid i.p. control beginning when tumors became palpable, and was continued for 21 days. Tumor volumes were measured on day 7, 14 and 21, and the growth rate (percent change in tumor volume per day) was compared between control (no treatment), control (20% intralipid) and tacrolimus treated groups. There was no statistically significant difference between control (untreated) and control (20% intralipid) groups, and therefore the controls were combined for analyses. At 21 days there was a 73% reduction in the growth rate for tacrolimus treated mice compared to no treatment (n = 19 tacrolimus treated, n = 15 control, *p = 0.003). Tacrolimus treated mice were significantly different from control (no treatment, p = 0.01, and control 20% intralipid, p = 0.01). There was no weight loss or lethargy in the tacrolimus-treated mice or the 20% intralipid treated mice.