Biological active peptides in human urine: III. Inhibitors of the growth of human leukemia, osteosarcoma, and HeLa cells.

Medium-sized peptides isolated from normal humans urine were tested for their effect on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and mitosis, in tissue culture of human myeloblastic leukemia, osteosarcoma, and HeLa cells. Two types of antineoplastic peptides were found. One type consists of strongly acidic peptides (probably sulfated glycopeptides) which act specifically on different kinds of neoplasma. The other type comprises slightly acidic and neutral peptides, and has broad specificity. The active peptides produce up to 97% inhibition of DNA synthesis and mitosis in the neoplastic cells in tissue culture. The peptide fraction which has broad specificity was tested in different concentrations and gave good dose-response relationship.