Plant Enzymes Decrease Prostate Cancer Cell Numbers and Increase TNF-α In Vivo: A Possible Role in Immunostimulatory Activity

Figure 7

The mechanism of anticancer action of PEV. When PEV is taken into the body from the Peyer’s patch, it works strongly on hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into blood cell lineages including granulocytes, monocytes, and NK cells. PEV is an active substance such as lysozyme which is universally present in body fluids. Humoral defense factors such as complement also selectively function in the area of foreign body entry. Next, accumulation of neutrophils from the blood and phagocytosis occurs, and subsequently, accumulation of macrophages is assisted, and phagocytosis of macrophages occurs. Macrophages also activate NK cells and release various cytokines. These things work together to affect the immune response. It is thought that PEV was absorbed into the body and led to antitumor by activation of immune cells that attack malignant tumor cells such as macrophages, NK cells, and TNF-α.