Inhibitory effects of bovine lactoferrin on colon carcinoma 26 lung metastasis in mice

In order to determine the effects of the multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein, lactoferrin (LF), and related compounds on tumor growth and metastasis, bovine LF (bLF), and bLF hydrolysate and lactoferricin (bLFcin), active products generated by acid-pepsin hydrolysis were administered orally to BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneous (s.c.) implants of the highly metastatic colon carcinoma 26 (Co 26Lu). bLF and the bLF hydrolysate demonstrated significant inhibition of lung metastatic colony formation from s.c. implanted tumors without appreciable effects on tumor growth. bLFcin displayed a tendency for inhibition of lung metastasis. On the other hand, bLF did not exert marked anti-metastatic activity in athymic nude mice bearing Co 26Lu, though bLF had a tendency to inhibit the lung metastatic colony formation associated with anti-asialoGM1 antibody (Ab) treatment. AsialoGM1(+) and CD8(+) cells in white blood cells were increased after treatment with bLF. In vitro, the viability of Co 26Lu-F55 cells was markedly decreased when co-cultured with white blood cells from mice administrated bLF p.o., but recovered on treatment with anti-asialoGM1 Ab or anti-CD8 mAb and complement. The results suggest bLF and related compounds might find application as tools in the control of metastasis and that asialoGM1(+) and CD8(+) cells in the blood are important for their inhibitory effects.