SUPPRESSION OF CANCER CELL-GROWTH IN-VITRO BY THE PROTEIN-BOUND POLYSACCHARIDE OF CORIOLUS-VERSICOLOR QUEL (PS-K) WITH SOD MIMICKING ACTIVITY

The protein-bound polysaccharide of Coriolus versicolor QUEL (PS-K) ex presses the mimicking activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Examinat ion was made of the suppressive effects of PS-K on cancer cell lines c ultured in vitro. The SOD activity of LLC-WRC-256 (Walker 256 fibrosar coma) cell lines was less than that of NRK-49F (rat normal kidney fibr oblast), H4-II-E (rat hepatoma) and H4-II-E-C3 (rat hepatoma) cell lin es. This activity in Walker 256 fibrosarcoma cells increased by 3.6 ti mes and H2O2 concentration, by 2.56 times by PS-K 500 mug/ml. Cell pro liferation was consequently suppressed and living cells decreased to l ess than 50% of the cells cultured without PS-K. Catalase and glutathi one peroxidase activity changed little by PS-K. The sensitivity of can cer cells to PS-K can be predetermined based on SOD activity in tumor tissue.