Effects of proteolytic enzymes on mammary tumor growth: in vitro and in vivo suppression and cellular death of tumor cells.

Abstract

Proteolytic enzymes may have potential value in the prophylaxis of malignant tumor development. C3H/HEJ mice, used for their ability to produce spontaneous mammary tumors, were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with proteolytic enzyme hydrolysate at a dosage range of 0.038 to 0.462 mg/gm body weight. The injections were given every other day, once a day for six months. The pathology results showed suppression of growth, and necrosis (and in some cases encapsulation) of the mammary tumors in C3H/HEJ mice. Concurrently, SP 2/0-AG 14 cells grown in the presence of 0.25 mg enzyme/ml to 3.75 mg enzyme/ml of proteolytic enzymes, showed little cellular deterioration when the dosage range remained below 1 mg enzyme/ml. When dosage ranges were greater than 1 mg enzyme/ml, cellular necrosis occurred within three days of the addition of the proteolytic enzymes. These results demonstrate that the proteolytic enzymes used in these experiments were beneficial in preventing tumor development and prolonging survival of C3H/HEJ mice when used in the appropriate concentration range. A portion of these results were presented elsewhere (2nd Int. Biotechnol. Expo; Oct. 1989; San Francisco).