Superantigen-induced apoptotic death of tumor cells is mediated by cytotoxic lymphocytes, cytokines, and nitric oxide.

Abstract The bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is a potent inducer of CTL activity and cytokine production in vivo. Protein A (PA) of Staphylococcal aureus has been found to have diverse biological response modifying properties and to possess antitumor, antitoxic and antiparasitic effects. In this study we examined the anti-tumor effect of these two superantigens used separately as well as in combination in mice carrying the Ehrlich ascites tumor. With combined treatment, DNA cell cycle analysis of tumor cells showed a significant ( P + and CD8 + specific T cells in spleen, thymus and PBMC in tumor carrying mice were increased ( P