germanium and ubenimex

The effect of NK-421(Bestatin) and Ge-132 (an organic germanium compound) on the ADCC and natural killing (NK) activities of the spleen cells of MH-134 tumor-bearing mice were studied. In the tumor-bearing mice, the ADCC activity was enhanced, and NK activity was reduced in accordance with the progress of the tumor. By oral administration of Bestatin at doses of 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg, ADCC activity was potentiated, and at a dose of 10 mg/kg, NK activity was significantly increased. Intraperitoneal administration of Ge-132 at 50 mg/kg potentiated the ADCC activity of tumor-bearing mice. A higher activity was observed in the plastic dish adherent fraction. Ge-132 also potentiated the reduced NK activity of tumor-bearing mice to higher level than normal mice. The elevated activities of ADCC and NK following Bestatin and Ge-132 administration were decreased with anti-Thy-1 antibody and complement; however, the percent reduction was lower compared to that of the control cancer animals. This result indicates that Bestatin and Ge-132 may act on non-T cells and augment ADCC and NK activities.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; Antineoplastic Agents; Germanium; Leucine; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Organometallic Compounds; Propionates; Spleen