Biologically Active Components From Mycobacterial Cell Walls. II. Suppression and Regression of Strain-2 Guinea Pig Hepatoma

Abstract

Components of mycobacterial cell walls were evaluated for antitumor activity. The function of the peptidoglycolipid “cell wall skeleton“ (CWS-I) in the suppression and regression of a strain-2 guinea pig hepatoma was described. P₃, a toxic free lipid found in both wax D and cord factor, was also described. For prevention (suppression) of tumor growth, CWS-I was as effective as the untreated BCG cell wall, but P₃ was not effective. However, for regression of established tumors with a frequency comparable to that obtained with untreated BCG cell wall, it was necessary to combine the P₃ with the CWS-I. When tumor growth was suppressed or regression accomplished, immunity to a subsequent tumor challenge was always demonstrated. The contributions of CWS-I and P₃ to tumor suppression and regression were discussed.