A trace element preparation (Béres Drops Plus, BDP) produced immunomodulatory effects in previous in vitro and in vivo experiments. Here, C57B1/6 inbred mice were transplanted with either Lewis lung tumor or with B16 melanoma. BDP was given intraperitoneally a. before transplantation; b. after transplantation or c. after the removal of the primary tumor. As a result, BDP pretreatment could slow down the tumor progression by decreasing the number and the volume of metastases as well as the proportion of mice with metastases without influencing the growth of the primary tumors. Furthermore, BDP treatment improved the immunological activity of the tumor-bearing host, too. These preliminary data suggest that the parenteral administration of the practically non-toxic BDP could help to control tumor progression in experimental models.

Disorders in the immune system manifesting in decreased weight and cellularity of lymphoid organs, decreased count of large granular lymphocytes, suppression of the immune response and metabolic activity of macrophages were observed in experimental animals 1-6 months after thyroidectomy. The intensity of these disorders depends on the period elapsed after the surgery. These disorders can result from not only changes in the levels of the pituitary-thyroid hormones, but also disturbances in the endocrine function of the thymus in thyroidectomized animals.