Chalones: concepts and results

Abstract

Control of cell proliferation is executed, in part, by means of negative feedback, utilizing cell-line specific messenger substances called chalones. Although knowledge of chalone chemistry is still in its infancy, the reality of the concept can no longer be reasonably questioned. In particular, it has recently been shown that chalones are even capable of causing tumour regression both in animals and in man. In addition to overviewing the chalone concept, we show here that the chalone-induced tumour regression is readily explained in simple and plausible terms.