title: Phytohemagglutinin inhibits lymphoid tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.
abstract: Cure rates for a variety of leukemias and lymphomas have improved dramatically over the past several decades, but relapsed disease continues to account for thousands of deaths per year. Viable treatment options for relapsed disease are few, encouraging the development of novel therapies. In the present paper, we describe phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a standard T cell mitogen, as an inhibitor of both T- and B-cell tumors. In vitro studies show that PHA can inhibit incorporation of 3H-thymidine and mediate apoptosis of B- and T-cell tumor lines. The inhibitory effects are enhanced when PHA is used in conjunction with the cell cycle directed drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Phytohemagglutinin treatments can also impede tumor growth in mice while showing no toxic side effects in this animal model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children s Research Hospital, 332 N Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
authors.forename: Sybil S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: D'Costa
authors.forename: Julia L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D005472:Fluorouracil; D013936:Thymidine