Suppression of tumor growth in human gastric cancer with HER2 overexpression by an anti-HER2 antibody in a murine model

New modalities are necessary for the treatment of patients with unresectable gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not anti-HER2 antibody could suppress the growth of human gastric cancer cells with HER2 overexpression in vitro and in vivo. Four human gastric cancer cell lines, NCI-N87, MKN-45P, Kato-III, and MKN-1, were used in this study. The suppression of cell proliferation in vitro and of subcutaneous tumor growth in a nude mouse model after treatment with trastuzumab was examined. The expression of HER2 protein was investigated by Western blot analysis. The effect of trastuzumab on the survival rate of nude mice with peritoneal dissemination was examined. Trastuzumab significantly reduced proliferative activity in NCI-N87, a HER2-overexpressing human gastric cancer cell line, in vitro. In the nude mouse model with transplanted subcutaneous tumor, trastuzumab significantly suppressed the tumor growth of NCI-N87 cells, and then HER2 expression was reduced. Trastuzumab improved the survival rate of mice with peritoneal dissemination of MKN-45P cells. Trastuzumab therapy is a potential candidate for a novel treatment of HER2-overexpressing gastric cancer.     

Interferon-gamma and cytotoxic agents studied in combination using a soft agarose human tumor clonogenic assay

Summary The in vitro antiproliferative activity of human recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was tested against human tumor cells in vitro in combination with doxorubicin, cisplatin, or vinblastine. Using a human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA), IFN-gamma alone showed dose-dependent inhibition of colony growth in six or seven human tumor cell lines as well as in each of nine fresh ovarian tumor specimens. The combination of IFN-gamma and either doxorubicin or cisplatin showed additive antiproliferative effects against all the cell lines with the exception of an IFN-gamma-resistant endometrial cancer cell line (HEC-1A). In combination with vinblastine, IFN-gamma rarely had an additive effect.Inclusion of macrophages from malignant effusions in the HTCA potentiated the antiproliferative effect of IFN-gamma alone as well as the combination of IFN-gamma and doxorubicin; however, the efficacy of the two agents was never more than additive.The results show that combinations of IFN-gamma with doxorubicin or cisplatin are additive and warrant further investigation. The antitumor effect of IFN-gamma alone or in combination with cytotoxic drugs may be significantly enhanced by tumor-associated macrophages.     

Synergistic interaction of hyperthermia and Gemcitabine in lung cancer

Hyperthermia increases cytotoxicity of various antineoplastic agents. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of Gemcitabine and/or hyperthermia on BZR-T33 (human non-small-cell lung cancer cells) in vitro and in immune-suppressed athymic nude mice. Isobologram analysis of monolayer cell cultures for cytotoxicity demonstrates a synergistic interaction between hyperthermia and Gemcitabine. Clonogenic results show significant reductions in surviving fractions and colony size for both therapies; greatest reduction was for the combined therapy group. Using cell cycle analysis, hyperthermia enhanced Gemcitabine-induced G2-M arrest resulting in destruction of 3.5 log cells. Apoptotic studies (Annexin-V FITC staining) showed that hyperthermia augmented Gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated pathology observed in cultures exposed to either therapy present in cultures exposed to both therapies. Studies in nude mice show that the combination therapy group had both an initial decrease in tumor size, and a significantly delayed rate of growth. Additionally, using tumor material harvested from nude mice two days after end to treatment reveals a significantly greater apoptotic index and significantly smaller mitotic index for the combined therapy group. Western blots of the same tumor material, showed that heat shock protein 70 was not significantly increased, however, caspase-3 activity of was significantly increased because of the combined therapy. In conclusion, the combined therapy is synergistic in effect because of hyperthermia enhancing Gemcitabine-induced apoptosis.     

博安霉素对人食管癌等抑瘤作用的实验研究

目的：研究博安霉素（boanmycin)在体内外对人食管癌细胞等的抑瘤作用。方法：采用MTT法检测博安霉素在人体外对5种人癌细胞的细胞毒作用。同时用裸鼠异种移植人食管癌细胞模型观察博安霉素对人食管癌的抑瘤作用。结果：博安霉素在体外对5种肿瘤细胞均有明显的细胞毒作用。博安霉素在10．0mg/kg和15．0mg/kg剂量下对裸鼠异种移植人食管癌HEC2的抑制率分别为85．2％，90．6％；在7．5mg/kg和15．0mg/kg剂量下对裸鼠异种移植人食管癌Eca-109的抑制率分别为81．2％，92．0％，结论：博安霉素在体内外对人食管癌细胞等具有显著的抑瘤作用。     

Studies of rhodamine-123: Effect on rat prostate cancer and human prostate cancer cells in vitro

The effect of the lipophilic, cationic dye, Rhodamine-123 (Rh-123), on prostate cancer in rats, and on three tumor cell lines in vitro is reported here. The general toxicity of Rh-123 in mice has been found to be minimal. Lobund-Wistar (L-W) rats with the autochthonous prostate cancer of Pollard were treated for six doses with Rh-123 at a dose of 15 mg/kg subcutaneously every other day. Microscopic examination of the tumors revealed cellular and acinar destruction. The effectiveness of Rh-123 as a cytotoxic agent was tested by clonogenic and viability assays in vitro with three human prostate cancer cell lines. Severe (60-95%) growth inhibition was observed following Rh-123 exposure for 2–5 days at doses as low as 1.6 μg/ml in all three prostate cancer cell lines.     

Hyperthermic enhancement of the antitumor effect of natural human tumor necrosis factor-alpha and -beta: an in vitro and in vivo study

A synergistic antitumor effect of natural human tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta) in combination with hyperthermia was found, in comparison with that of TNF-alpha, using an in vitro antiproliferative assay on a human colon cancer cell line (RPMI4788) and an in vivo tumor growth inhibition assay on Meth A sarcoma cells. In vitro combined treatment with TNF-beta (10,000 U/ml) and hyperthermia (at 43 degrees for 60 min) synergistically inhibited the proliferation of the cells. Combined effects of TNF-alpha or natural human interferon-alpha or -gamma (IFN-alpha, -gamma) and hyperthermia were also examined, and furthermore, the combinations of TNFs and IFNs were examined in combination with hyperthermia at 42 degrees; their antiproliferative effects were further augmented by hyperthermia. In vivo growth of Meth A sarcoma cells (5 x 10(5)), transplanted subcutaneously into BALB/c mice, was inhibited significantly (P less than 0.05) with the combination of TNF-alpha or -beta (2 x 10(5) U/mouse) and hyperthermia (at 43 degrees for 60 min) as compared to either a single intravenous injection of TNF-alpha or -beta alone or the hyperthermia alone. The influence of TNF-beta and hyperthermia on the cell cycle was examined. Flow cytometric analysis showed that RPMI4788 cells treated with TNF-alpha or -beta accumulated in the S phase of the cell cycle, and that hyperthermia (at 42 degrees for 60 min) alone had no influence on the cell cycle and did not augment the S phase accumulation of the cells treated with TNF-alpha or -beta.     

Periostin is down-regulated in high grade human bladder cancers and suppresses in vitro cell invasiveness and in vivo metastasis of cancer cells

We have previously reported that expression of periostin mRNA is markedly reduced in a variety of human cancer cell lines, suggesting that downregulation of periostin mRNA expression is correlated with the development of human cancers. In our study, to clarify the role of the periostin in human bladder carcinogenesis, we examined the expression of periostin mRNA in normal bladder tissues, bladder cancer tissues and bladder cancer cell lines by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR analysis. Although the expression of periostin mRNA was detected in 100% (5/5) of normal bladder tissues, it was not detected in 3 human bladder cancer cell lines examined. It was also detected in 81.8% (9/11) of grade 1, 40.0% (4/10) of grade 2 and 33.3% (4/12) of grade 3 bladder cancer tissues, indicating that downregulation of periostin mRNA is significantly related to higher grade bladder cancer (p<0.05). To assess the tumor suppressor function of periostin, we investigated the ability of periostin gene to suppress malignant phenotypes of a bladder cancer cell line, SBT31A. Ectopic expression of periostin gene by a retrovirus vector suppressed in vitro cell invasiveness of the bladder cancer cells without affecting cell proliferation and tumor growth in nude mice. Periostin also suppressed in vivo lung metastasis of the mouse melanoma cell line, B16-F10. Mutational analysis revealed that the C-terminal region of periostin was sufficient to suppress cell invasiveness and metastasis of the cancer cells. Periostin may play a role as a suppressor of invasion and metastasis in the progression of human bladder cancers.     

Metastasis of human tumors in athymic nude mice

The incidence of metastasis of xenogeneic tumors transplanted to nude mice is controversial. We studied 106 malignant human tumor lines in a total of 1,045 nude mice, and observed metastasis in only 14 instances (1.3%), involving 11 different tumor lines. Three of the lines showed repeated metastasis. Breast tumor lines metastasized with significantly greater frequency than other tumor types. None of the sarcoma lines metastasized. Tumors derived from human metastases were no more prone to metastasizing in nude mice than were tumors derived from primary sites. However, deep penetration of the body wall during growth of the tumor transplant was highly correlated with metastasis (p less than 0.001). Such factors as nude mouse health, tumor size and growth rate, and age and sex of the host mouse were not correlated with metastasis. Serial passage in nude mice did not select for a more malignant tumor line, since the incidence of metastasis did not differ at various passage levels. Thus, metastasis of human malignant tumors in nude mice would appear to depend primarily upon the site of tumor growth in the nude mouse, and upon the intrinsic metastasizing capability of the tumor line employed.     

p53缺失和突变对人肺癌细胞系恶性表型影响的比较

目的 比较研究外源正义和反义p53对所转染细胞系恶性表型的影响。方法 构建正义和反义p53cDNA真核细胞表达载体pEGFP-p53(RS)和pEGFP-p53(AS)。用Lipofectin介导转染801D细胞。PCR检测外源p53和neo基因，荧光显微镜检查转染细胞绿荧光蛋白，免疫组化染色检测突变蛋白表达。比较pEGFP-p53(AS)-801D和pEGFP-p53(RS)-801D的集落形成试验和裸鼠移植试验，用流式细胞术分析细胞周期。结果 PCR检测出外源p53和neo基因存在于细胞，细胞可见绿色荧光，免疫组化检测示pEGFP-p53(AS)-801D突变蛋白呈阴性，母系为阳性，表明反义p53能封闭突变p53蛋白表达，pEGFP-p53（RS）-801D和pEGFP-p53(AS)801D细胞集落形成率和裸鼠移植成瘤性均降低，pEGFP-p53(RS)-801D更为明显。pEGFP-p53(AS)-801D细胞周期阻滞于G1期。结论 在同一细胞背景下，p53缺失比p53突变对恶性增殖起更重要的作用。外源野生型p53在肿瘤细胞中可恢复重建其功能，外源反义p53可封闭突变蛋白表达，阻止细胞停留于G1期。     

Anti-tumor activity of human recombinant TNF against human malignant glioma cell lines and combined effect with Hu INF-beta

Human TNF was detected fairly recently and at present the anti-tumor activity of human recombinant TNF is being examined against various malignant tumors of human origin. In the present study, we report the anti-tumor activity of recombinant human TNF against human malignant glioma cell lines in vitro and in vivo, in addition to its combined effects with HuIFN-beta. The in vitro study was conducted as follows. Thirteen human glioma cell lines were exposed to 100 U/ml TNF, 1,000 IU/ml HuIFN-beta, or both, and the suppression rate was calculated on days 3, 5 and 7. In the in vivo study, nude mice carrying a human glioma cell line, KMS II, in the subcutaneous tissues were divided into groups and drugs were administered intratumorally as described below. 1) control, 2) TNF 5,000 U single administration, 3) TNF 5,000 U, intermittently administered (once/week for two weeks), 4) TNF 5,000 U, continuously administered (3/week for two weeks), 5) HuIFN-beta 50 X 10(4) IU (3/week for two weeks), and 6) combination of 4) with 5). Results of the in vitro study revealed some suppressive effects on proliferation of tumor cells on day 7 in all 13 glioma cell lines examined with 100 U/ml TNF. And also, especially in 8 of 13 cell lines, the suppression rate was more than 30%. The suppressive effects of TNF were augmented by combined use of HuIFN-beta in all cell lines, giving a range of suppression of 67.8 to 99.3%. The in vivo study revealed that the mean tumor weight ratios (control = 100%) on day 19 (the end of the experiment) were as follows; single administration of TNF: 41.3%, intermittent: 46.7%, continuous: 26.7%, HuIFN-beta: 65.9%, combination: 18.5%. Statistical analysis disclosed significant suppressive effects on tumor proliferation between the control group and 3 TNF-administered groups (single, intermittent, and continuous) and that suppression in the continuously administered group was more severe in comparison with the group given single administration. Moreover, it was suggested that combination therapy with TNF and Hu IFN-beta was more effective than a single therapy with TNF only or HuIFN-beta only. From the results described above, it was found that human recombinant TNF had some cytotoxic effects against human malignant gliomas in vitro and in vivo, although the degree of cytotoxicity was not always higher in comparison with the effects of TNF.     

Hyperthermic Enhancement of the Antitumor Effect of Natural Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and -β: an in vitro and in vivo Study

A synergistic antitumor effect of natural human tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) in combination with hyperthermia was found, in comparison with that of TNF-α, using an in vitro antiproliferative assay on a human colon cancer cell line (RPMI4788) and an in vivo tumor growth inhibition assay on Meth A sarcoma cells. In vitro combined treatment with TNF-β (10,000 U/ml) and hyperthermia (at 43° for 60 min) synergistically inhibited the proliferation of the cells. Combined effects of TNF-α or natural human interferon-α or -γ (IFN-α, -γ) and hyperthermia were also examined, and furthermore, the combinations of TNFs and IFNs were examined in combination with hyperthermia at 42°; their antiproliferative effects were further augmented by hyperthermia. In vivo growth of Meth A sarcoma cells (5 × 10⁵), transplanted subcutaneously into BALB/c mice, was inhibited significantly ( P <0.05) with the combination of TNF-α or -β (2 × 10⁵ U/mouse) and hyperthermia (at 43° for 60 min) as compared to either a single intravenous injection of TNF-α or -β alone or the hyperthermia alone. The influence of TNF-β and hyperthermia on the cell cycle was examined. Flow cytometric analysis showed that RPMI4788 cells treated with TNF-α or -β accumulated in the S phase of the cell cycle, and that hyperthermia (at 42° for 60 min) alone had no influence on the cell cycle and did not augment the S phase accumulation of the cells treated with TNF-α or -β.     

Wide Spectrum of Antitumor Activity of a Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody to Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as an angiogenic factor for tumor angiogene—sis. We developed a neutralizing anti—VEGF monoclonal antibody (MAb), MV833, and examined its antitumor activity against 27 human tumor cell lines transplanted in nude mice. All the tumor cell lines used in this study secreted various amounts of VEGF into culture medium in vitro. However, the growth of the cell lines, including three which expressed VEGF receptor, was not affected by exogenously added MV833 in vitro. All tumor cell lines including colon, lung, breast, pancreas, and melanoma, grew subcutaneously in nude mice. The growth of HeLa/v5, which had been transformed by human VEGF₁₂₁ gene and secreted large amounts of VEGF, was significantly faster than that of the control vector transformant. Although the amounts of VEGF secreted from two HeLa transformants differed greatly, MV833 completely inhibited the growth of both tumors. Moreover, the growth of the other 25 human tumor cell lines transplanted into nude mice was also strongly suppressed by MV833. Neither the amount of VEGF secreted from each tumor cell line in vitro nor the expression of VEGF receptor correlated with the antitumor activity of MV833. MV833, administered when tumor volumes reached 400 mm₃, completely inhibited the growth of some tumor lines. The results show VEGF to be a critical angiogenic factor for many tumors. VEGF—neutralizing antibody could be applicable as an antitumor agent for a wide range of tumors.     

Elimination of clonogenic breast cancer cells from human bone marrow. A comparison of immunotoxin treatment with chemoimmunoseparation using 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, monoclonal antibodies, and magnetic microspheres

Autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) may aid in the management of breast cancer, but is currently limited to patients without bone marrow metastases. In earlier studies, 5 logs of malignant clonogenic breast cancer cells could be eliminated from human bone marrow using a combination of chemoseparation with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) and immunoseparation with monoclonal antibodies and magnetic microspheres. In this report the authors compare chemoimmunoseparation to treatment with immunotoxins for elimination of tumor cells from human bone marrow and for the preservation of normal precursors. Breast cancer cells from each of five cell lines were mixed with a tenfold excess of irradiated human bone marrow cells. Treatment with a combination of five immunotoxins reduced clonogenic tumor cell growth by 1.8 to 5.5 logs depending upon the cell line. With two of the five cell lines, clonogenic tumor cells were eliminated quantitatively. Using the CAMA-1 breast cancer cell line, treatment with multiple immunotoxins was compared with chemoimmunoseparation with 4-HC, a panel of five unconjugated monoclonal antibodies and magnetic microspheres. Chemoimmunoseparation eliminated 3.5 to 5.4 logs of malignant cells, while preserving 21% of Colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and 37% of burst-forming unit-erythrocyte (BFU-E). No clonogenic breast cancer cells could be detected. Immunotoxin treatment eliminated 2.2 to 5.4 logs of clonogenic breast cancer cells, but had no effect on the bone marrow precursors. In seven of ten experiments, however, clonogenic breast cancer cells remained after immunotoxin treatment. Consequently, treatment with 4-HC, multiple murine monoclonal antibodies and magnetic microspheres provided more consistent elimination of tumor cells than separation with immunotoxins, but was significantly more toxic for marrow precursors.     

Growth inhibition of cervix carcinoma cells in vivo by endothelin A receptor blockade

In human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cervical cancer cells, the endothelin A receptor (ET(A)R) mediates an endothelin-1-induced mitogenic effect, thus representing a relevant target for antitumor therapy. Here, we describe the complete inhibition of human cervix carcinoma growth by blocking the ET(A)R. In nude mice, the ET(A)R-selective antagonist atrasentan inhibits the growth and the neoangiogenesis of cervical carcinoma cell xenografts. Two cycles of treatment completely revert tumor growth. Atrasentan displays additive effects when administered in combination with the cytotoxic drug paclitaxel. These results demonstrate that by inhibiting cell proliferation and angiogenesis, this small molecule may help to control cervical cancer by either monotherapy or combination therapy.     

Effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line in vitro

The cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rHuTNF alpha) on a cultured nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line were studied. rHuTNF alpha inhibited tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) and [14C]leucine incorporation by NPC cells. rHuTNF alpha also inhibited the growth of NPC cells as determined by microphotometry. Cytotoxic effect of rHuTNF alpha was observed 2 days after incubation. Pulse hyperthermia or continuous hyperthermia in combination with rHuTNF alpha treatment was markedly cytotoxic for NPC cells in vitro. Addition of actinomycin D, cycloheximide, puromycin or vincristine sulfate to NPC cells also potentiated the cytotoxic effect of rHuTNF alpha.     

Mechanisms of combined effects of gamma-interferon and 5-fluorouracil on human colon cancers implanted into nude mice

The purpose of these studies was to determine the possible mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of systemic administration of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and gamma-interferon on disseminated human colon cancer. We used several human carcinoma cell lines that were established from different surgical specimens. Some lines were selected in nude mice for increased metastatic potential, and one line was selected in vitro for resistance to human recombinant gamma-interferon (r-IFN-gamma). In initial in vitro studies, FUra was cytostatic against all the human cell lines but did not produce cytolysis in any of the lines tested. The two r-IFN-gamma were species specific for both antitumor and immunomodulatory effects. Human r-IFN-gamma produced cytostatic and cytolytic effects against sensitive human colon carcinoma cells but did not activate tumoricidal properties in mouse macrophages. In contrast, mouse r-IFN-gamma had no direct cytotoxic effects against any of the human colon carcinoma lines but did activate tumoricidal properties in mouse macrophages. Human colon carcinoma cells (sensitive or resistant to human r-IFN-gamma) were implanted into the spleens of nude mice. Three days later, we began treatments with FUra and human or mouse r-IFN-gamma. In all experiments, the combination of FUra with mouse r-IFN-gamma produced the best therapeutic effects against growth of the cells in the spleen and in the liver. Because the mouse r-IFN-gamma is devoid of direct antitumor effects (against human tumor cells) but is a potent macrophage activator, these results suggest that the antitumor effects were due to direct antitumor effects of FUra and to activation of host defense mechanisms by the r-IFN-gamma.     

Effect of hyperthermia on cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (rhodamine 123)2[tetrachloroplatinum(II)] in a human squamous cell carcinoma line and a cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)-resistant subline

The effect of concomitant hyperthermia on the cytotoxicities of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP), a newly synthesized drug, Pt(Rh-123)2, and its chemical components, K2PtCl4 and rhodamine 123, was examined in vitro in a squamous cell tumor line of human origin (SCC-25) and in a CDDP-resistant subline (SCC-25/CP). No difference in the cytotoxicity of hyperthermia alone was observed between these cell lines. The dose-dependent cytotoxicities of 1-h exposures to CDDP and Pt(Rh-123)2 were markedly increased at 42 degrees C and 43 degrees C in comparison to 37 degrees C, and this effect was of the same magnitude in both cell lines (enhancements of approximately 1.5 logs at 42 degrees C and 2.5 logs at 43 degrees C for CDDP and 1.5 logs at 42 degrees C and greater than 3 logs at 43 degrees C for Pt(Rh-123)2). The use of hyperthermia with CDDP, however, did not lower survivals in the SCC-25/CP cells even to the levels seen in the parent line at 37 degrees C. The cytotoxicities of K2PtCl4 and rhodamine 123 were essentially the same in the CDDP-sensitive and -resistant cells at all temperatures tested. The magnitude of the temperature effect was significantly greater for Pt(Rh-123)2 than for its chemical components. No significant effect on CDDP or Pt(Rh-123)2 accumulation was observed at 42, 43, 44 or 45 degrees C in either cell line. DNA lesions, measured by alkaline elution, were significantly enhanced for CDDP in the SCC-25 cells at 42 degrees C. These results suggest that treatment with hyperthermia and either CDDP or Pt(Rh-123)2 should result in supraadditive anti-tumor effects, although the efficacy of CDDP plus hyperthermia will be significantly less once resistance to CDDP has developed. Since resistance to CDDP does not imply cross-resistance to Pt(Rh-123)2, and since the effect of hyperthermia is somewhat greater for Pt(Rh-123)2 than for CDDP at 43 degrees C, Pt(Rh-123)2 may be more selectively toxic to tumor cells when used with local hyperthermia versus normal cells outside the treated area, especially if resistance to CDDP has already developed.     

Evaluation of antitumor activity of etoposide administered orally for 21 consecutive days against human uterine cancer subcutaneous and/or orthotopic xenografts in nude mice]

The antitumor activity of etoposide (ETP) against human uterine cancer cell lines were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The cytotoxic activity of ETP against HeLa S3, a human cervical cancer cell line, depended on exposure time. The survival rate with 24 h prolonged exposure was reduced to about 1/200 that with 6 h exposure. The time dependency of antitumor activity of ETP against HeLa S3 subcutaneously transplanted in nude mice was studied. The effect of 21 or 28 consecutive days oral administration was greater than that of 5 or 14 consecutive days. Furthermore, a longer administration schedule was less toxic. The antitumor activity of ETP administered orally for 21 consecutive days was compared with that of CDDP, CPT-11 and 5'-DFUR using both human uterine cancer cell lines (TCO-1, SIHA, UCC08JCK) transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice and human uterine cancer cell lines (HeLa S3, UCC08JCK) transplanted into the uterus of nude mice. ETP showed the same antitumor activity as CPT-11 and 5'-DFUR against TCO-1 and UCC08JCK, human uterine cancer cell lines transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice. ETP also showed anticancer activity against two cell lines transplanted into the uterus. The growth inhibition caused by ETP administered orally at 50 mg/kg against HeLa S3 transplanted subcutaneously was 36.7% while that against the same cell line transplanted into the uterus was 58.5%. 5'-DFUR also showed the same antitumor activity as ETP. These results suggest that long term oral administration of ETP is clinically useful for cervical cancer patients.