The role of calcium channels and serotonin (5-HT2) receptors for tumour cell lodgement in the liver

Abstract
The effect of blockade of calcium channels and/or 5-HT receptors on the hepatic lodgement of intraportally injected fibrosarcoma cells was studied in rats. The calcium channel blocker verapamil and the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin each had a significant lodgement reducing effect. The pure 5-HT2 antagonist R 56413 was most effective and dose-dependent in its tumour cell lodgement reducing effect. At the highest dose tested (2·5 mg/kg body weight) R 56413 was as effective as thrombocytopenia, indicating that 5-HT is the most important platelet-released product that influences tumour cell lodgement.