Effects of 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and Mezerein on Epidermal Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity, Isoproterenol-stimulated Levels of Cyclic Adenosine 3′:5′-Monophosphate, and Induction of Mouse Skin Tumors in Vivo¹

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and the antileukemic agent mezerein are diterpene esters of plant origin with certain structural similarities. Both compounds, when applied topically to mouse skin, were equipotent on a molar basis in inducing hyperplasia, inflammation, and ornithine decarboxylase activity, as well as in reducing cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate accumulation in response to β-adrenergic stimulation. In contrast, mezerein was much less effective as a tumor promoter; the phorbol ester at 8.5 nmol/application yielded 78-fold more tumors than did 8.5 nmol mezerein per application to similarly initiated SENCAR mice. The superiority of the phorbol ester was nearly as great in CD-1 mice.

These results suggest that although the induction of hyperplasia and ornithine decarboxylase activity may be necessary components of the carcinogenic process, they are not sufficient; 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate must accomplish an essential event not accomplished by mezerein.