Patent ID: 6291215
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
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 chemical selected from the group consisting of a tumor-promoting chemical and a tumor-inducing chemical, said method comprising the steps of:a) cultivating Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells in the presence of a predetermined amount of a chemical, said chemical being a tumor-promoting chemical, a tumor inducing chemical, or a mixture thereof; andb) treating the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells with an amount of a synthetic colorant 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 synthetic colorant is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescein compound selected from the group consisting of D&C yellow #7, D&C Yellow #8, D&C Orange #10, D&C Orange #5, D&C Red #22, and mixtures thereof;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.