Inhibition of cell growth by an anti-proliferative factor

摘要

The present invention involves the identification of a factor or factors that are anti-proliferative and can be used in the treatment of cancers and other hyperproliferative disease states. The factor or factors are induced from cells follow contact of the cells with viral or plasmid expression vectors. One factor is between about 3 kDa and 300 kDa in size, while another is less than about 3 kDa in size. Both are heat stable and is resistant to both protease and nuclease treatment. Methods for purification and use of the factor also are disclosed.