Lenalidomide augments the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy in vivo.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the gold standard for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC); however, some patients do not respond to initial therapy while others relapse and/or progress. Therefore, combination strategies that can enhance the efficacy and sustainability of BCG are needed. Herein, we explore the efficacy of lenalidomide, a thalidomide derivative with immunomodulatory effects, in combination with BCG, both in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods

We explored the outcomes of lenalidomide in combination with BCG in vivo using the MBT-2 cell line implanted in C3H immunocompetent mice. Apoptosis, cell proliferation, and microvessel density were measured by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, we performed Western blotting for

SUBMITTER: Jinesh GG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5215577 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature