Acetylcholinesterase and HHV-8 in squamous cell carcinoma and retinoblastoma.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) antigens were studied in tissue sections from 56 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and five retinoblastomas (Rb). Approximately 62.5% of SCC and 80% of Rb showed positive staining for AChE.

In vitro Inhibition of HHV-6 replication by sophocarpines.

The virostatic activity of sophocarpines and gancyclovir (GCV) was tested using HHV-6 Z29 strain and Molt-3 cells. The cytotoxic (IC(50)) and the antiviral (ED(50)) values were first experimentally determined and selective indices (SI) were then calculated. The SI values for sophocarpines 1 and 2 and GCV were in the order 184, 183, and 23, respectively.