Induction of antitumor resistance to mouse leukemia L1210 by spergualins.

Spergualin and its analog, 15-deoxyspergualin showed a marked antitumor effect against L1210 by intraperitoneal and oral administrations. After treatment with these substances 40- or 60-day survivors (cured mice of L1210) were resistant to reinoculation of L1210 cells. They were resistant only to L1210. The antitumor effector cells in these mice were determined to be T cells. NK activity of spleen cells was also enhanced by spergualins. The antitumor activity of 15-deoxyspergualin was markedly reduced in immuno-deficient mice. IL (interleukin)-2 production, but not IL-1, was enhanced in supernatant of mixed lymphocyte cultures by treatment with 15-deoxyspergualin. The mechanism of action of 15-deoxyspergualin on the immune system was discussed.