EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE ENZYME GLUTAMINASE ON THE GROWTH OF CANCER CELLS.

Abstract

Summary The inhibiting effect of glutaminase on the growth of a number of mouse tumors has been investigated. The reason motivating this treatment is that glutamine is required in high concentrations for the growth of a large variety of cells in tissue culture. Administration of glutaminase markedly decreased the initial rate of growth of most of the tumors tested, particularly in the ascites form. This was associated with a reduction of the glutamine content of the blood. However, after ca. 1 week of treatment the tumors resumed rapid growth, and the animals did not survive significantly longer than the untreated tumor-bearing animals.