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A cyanobacteria extract and β‐carotene stimulate an antitumor host response against an oral cancer cell line
Author(s) -
Schwartz J. L.,
Shklar G.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2650030605
Subject(s) - cheek pouch , tumor necrosis factor alpha , biology , cancer , biological response modifiers , hamster , cytotoxicity , carotenoid , population , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , pathology , immune system , biochemistry , in vitro , environmental health
The studies presented here discuss the regression of an oral tumor cell line implanted into the hamster cheek pouch. Tumor cells injected into the cheek pouch of old hamsters allowed the rapid growth of the tumors in non‐immunosuppressed recipients, and the development of oral cancer in an annual population similar to the age that oral cancer normally presents in humans. This model was then utilized in tumor regression studies following the local injection of the carotenoid β‐carotene and an extract of Cyanobacteria containing β‐carotene and other carotenoids. Eighty male Syrian hamsters were divided into four groups. Five animals from each group were examined weekly for their tumor burden. After 4 weeks, 80% of the animals, and after 8 weeks, 85% of the Cyanobacteria‐treated hamsters, exhibited complete gross tumor regression. β‐Carotene treatment produced similar results. All hamsters that were injected with HCPC‐1 tumor cells and were untreated, developed tumors which progressed to a significant tumor burden (p <0.001). The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) was localized to cells associated with tumor regression following carotenoid or algae treatment (p <0.001). Resident peritoneal macrophages (RPM) exhibited a significant increase in cytotoxicity when obtained from hamsters exhibiting complete regression of tumor (p <0.001). Intraperitoneally injected HCPC‐1 cells inhibited macrophage cytotoxicity. This effect was reversed following incubation with mitogen (LPS), algae or carotenoid.