Patent ID: 6225296
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of inhibiting Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells comprising the steps of:a) cultivating the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells in a medium containing at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of tumor-inducing chemicals and tumor-promoting chemicals; andb) adding an effective amount of a synthetic colorant to the medium, said effective amount being sufficient to inhibit Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells;wherein the synthetic colorant is selected from the group consisting of a compound of formula VIII: ##STR21##wherein A is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR22##wherein R1 is --H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, --CO2M, --SO3M; R2 is --H, lower alkyl, or --SO3M; R3 is --H, lower alkyl, or --SO3M; R4 is --H,--CO2M, or --SO3M; and R5 and R6, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting of --H, --OH, --NL2, CO2M, and --SO3M; L is --H, lower alkyl, or lower hydroxyalkyl; and M is --H, an alkali metal cation, or an alkaline earth metal cation; and wherein the steps of cultivating the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells in the medium and adding the colorant to the medium are each performed in vitro.