Inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumor cell growth by Griffonia simplicifolia I lectin in vivo
Eckhardt, A.E.; Malone, B.N.; Goldstein, I.J.
Cancer Research 42(8): 2977-2979
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 7093946 Document Number: 186896
G. (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia I (GS I) seeds contain a family of .alpha.-D-galactopyranyl-binding isolectins which strongly agglutinate Ehrlich ascites tumor cells due to the presence of this determinant sugar on their cell surface glycoporteins. Administration of GS I lectin (100 .mu.g/day or 300 .mu.g on alternate days, i.p.) inhibits the growth of Ehrlich tumor cells in vivo. Mice given injections of only Ehrlich cells lived an average of 36 .+-. 13 (S.E.) days with no mouse surviving longer than 53 days. Mice given injections of Ehrlich cells and 100 .mu.g GS I lectin daily or 300 .mu.g GS I lectin on alternate days showed 75 and 62% survival, respectively, after 60 days. Lectin-dependent, macrophage-mediated tumor cell lysis may be the mechanism whereby the GS I lectin exerts its cytotoxic effect.