Decreased beta-adrenergic responsiveness in mouse epidermal papillomas during tumor promotion with phorbol myristate acetate.

The response to the beta-adrenergic agonist (-)-isoproterenol in mouse epidermis and in papillomas arising during tumor promotion with phorbol myristate acetate was determined by measurement of cyclic AMP levels after in vivo administration of (-)-isoproterenol. Papillomas exhibited less than half the hormonal responsiveness found in epidermis from control groups or from papilloma-bearing animals. No difference in the incorporation of labelled (-)-isoproterenol into epidermal or papilloma tissue was seen.