Patent ID: 6312697
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of reducing the percentage of Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells which exhibit Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction, wherein said Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells have been cultivated in the presence of at least one tumor-promoting chemical, said method comprising the steps of:a) cultivating Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells in the presence of a predetermined amount of a tumor-promoting chemical; andb) treating the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells with an amount of betanins which is effective to reduce the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in the cultivated Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells;wherein the predetermined amount of the tumor-promoting chemical is sufficient to induce Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells which have been cultivated in the presence of the chemical, but have not been treated with the synthetic colorant.