Effects of a calcium-antagonist (flunarizine) on cancer cell movement and phagocytosis.

Flunarizine, a calcium-antagonist drug that binds to calmodulin, was found to inhibit the migration of both B16 melanoma cells and M5076 macrophage-like cancer cells. The migration movement, both under agarose and through a polycarbonate filter membrane, was impaired by the drug. In M5076 macrophage-like cells Fc-dependent as well as Fc-independent phagocytosis were also found significantly reduced by flunarizine. Results are discussed in relationship with the previously observed effects of the drug on the growth rate of B16 melanoma cells in vitro.