ofDBPMAF, GCMAF, and CdMAF on mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor were assessed by survival time, the total tumor cell count in the peritoneal cavity, and serum NaGalase

Vitamin D3-binding protein (DBP; human DBP is known as Gc protein) is the precursor of macrophage activating factor (MAF). Treatment of mouse DBP with hnmobffized @3-galactosidase or treatment of human Gc protein with immobifized @-galactosidaseand sialidase generated a re markably potent MAF, termed DBPMAF or GCMAF, respectively. The domain of Ge protein responsible for macrophage activation was cloned and enzymatically converted to the cloned MAF, designated CdMAF. In Ehrlich asates tumor-bearing mice, tumor-specific serum a-N-acetyl galactosaminidase (NaGalase) activity increased linearly with time as the transplanted tumor cells grew in the peritoneal cavity. Therapeutic effects ofDBPMAF, GCMAF, and CdMAF on mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor were assessed by survival time, the total tumor cell count in the peritoneal cavity, and serum NaGalase activity. Mice that received a single admin istration of DBPMAF or GcMAF (100 pg/mouse) on the same day after transplantation of tumor (1 x 1O@cells) showed a mean survival time of 35 ±4 days,whereastumor-bearing controls had a meansurvival time of 16 ±2 days. When mice received the second DBPMAF or GcMAF administration at day 4, they survived more than 50 days. Mice that received two DBPMAF administrations, at days 4 and 8 after transplan teflon of 1 x @ tumor cells, survived up to 32 ±4 days. At day 4 posttransplantation, the total tumor cell count in the peritoneal cavity was approximately 5 x 10@cells. Mice that received two DJ3PMAF adminis trations, at days 0 and 4 after transplantation of 5 x 1O@twnor cells, also survived up to 32 ±4 days, while control mice that received the 5 x 10@ ascites tumor cells only survived for 14 ±2 days. Four DBPMAF, GeMAF, or CdMAF administrations to mice transplanted with 5 X 10@ Ehrlich ascites tumor cells with 4-day intervals showed an extended survival of at least 90 days and an insignificantly low serum NaGalase level between days 30 and 90