in higher concentrations were toxic, perhaps from presence of K, which could 

 be eliminated by dialysis. One "unit" of antitumor activity can be extracted 

 from 80-100 mg wet weight of Mevcenavia tissue, and approximately 10,000 units 

 from 1 kg wet weight. The active agent or agents can be extracted with water. 

 Saturation (20%) with ammonium sulphate did not precipitate antitumor agent, 

 but most of it was precipitated between 25% and 70% saturation with ammonium 

 sulphate. The active principle was thermostable, and antitumor properties 

 were not destroyed by lyophilization at -65°F. Partial purification on 

 Sephadex G-100 columns suggested a molecular weight less than 100,000 g. - J.L.M 



1625 



Schmeer , M. Rosarii. 



1964. 



Growth-inhibiting agents from Mevcenavia extracts: chemical and biological 

 properties. Science 144: 413. 



Aqueous extracts of Mevcenavia mevcenavia have a regressive and inhibiting 

 effect on sarcoma 180 and on Krebs 2 carcinoma in Swiss albino mice. The 

 active agent is not precipitated by 20 to 25% saturation with (NH4) 2(804) , 

 but greater concentrations decrease the yield of active agent. When extract 

 is treated with 4 volumes of methyl alcohol chilled to -20°C, and extract 

 chilled to +2°C, 70% of activity can be extracted. At room temp 15 to 20% 

 of activity is in the supernatant. The agent is destroyed by boiling at 

 100 C C for 25 min. Activity is decreased by heating at various temps above 

 50°C for 25 min, but 100% of activity is retained at 37°C. It is non- 

 dialyzable and lyophilization at -20°C does not destroy antitumor activity. 

 Lipids do not appear to be responsible for the activity. Dilutions effective 

 against sarcoma 180 were not toxic. Controls died within 10 days after 

 implantation of tumor, treated animals were still healthy and normal in 

 6 months. Treated animals showed no recurrence of tumors and produced normal 

 litters. In treatment of Krebs-2 ascites tumor, extracts in concentrations 

 higher than those used (one unit in total volume of 0.25 ml) were toxic. 

 Toxicity was probably caused by K and could be eliminated by dialysis. 

 Methods of preparation and partial purification of crude extract are described. 

 Partial purification appeared to give almost pure inhibitor. In summer the 

 agent was 8 to 9 times as concentrated in Mevcenavia than during the rest of 

 the year. - J.L.M. 



1626 



Schmeer, M. R. 



1964, 



Mercenene: Growth-inhibitor extracted from molluscs. Effects on Sarcoma-180 

 and Krebs-2 carcinoma. Seminar Natl. Inst. Health, D.B.S. 24 Sept 1964. 



Could not locate. Search terminated. 



J.L.M. 



1627 



Schmeer, M. 



Rosarii. 1966. 



Mercenene: Growth-inhibiting agent of Mevcenavia extracts. Further chemical 

 and biological characterization. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 136(9): 213-218. 



A more purified extract of Mevcenavia mevcenavia containing the active agent 

 mercenene had a regressive and inhibiting effect on Krebs-2 solid carcinoma 

 in Swiss mice. Histological examination of tumors treated for 7 days (1 unit 

 of activity administered/day) showed healing tissue as compared with necrotic 

 tissue of controls. The data suggest that mercenene has a low molecular 

 weight. An earlier suggestion that the tumor-inhibitory principle is a 

 volatile derivative of methylglyoxal would appear improbable. - modified 

 author's summary - J.L.M. 



450 



