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BCG effects on telomerase activity in bladder cancer cell lines
Hideki Saitoh1, Kazuyuki Mori, Seiji Kudoh
1Department of Urology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
International Journal of Clinical Oncology
|July 12, 2002
Summary
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy significantly reduced telomerase activity and increased apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. This suggests telomerase inhibition or apoptosis induction may be key mechanisms of BCG
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is effective for superficial bladder cancer but its mechanism is unclear.
- This study investigates BCG's effect on telomerase activity in various cancer cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of BCG on telomerase activity in bladder, renal, and prostate cancer cell lines.
- To explore the relationship between BCG treatment, telomerase activity, and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- T24 and J82 bladder cancer cells were cocultured with BCG for 5 days.
- Telomerase activity was measured using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP).
- Cell-cycle phase was analyzed by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS).
Main Results:
- BCG treatment significantly decreased telomerase activity in T24 and J82 bladder cancer cells.
- Telomerase activity remained unchanged in ACHN (renal) and PC-3 (prostate) cancer cells.
- BCG-induced apoptosis was markedly increased in T24 and J82 cells.
Conclusions:
- Reduced telomerase activity is likely linked to BCG's therapeutic effects in bladder cancer.
- BCG may inhibit telomerase directly or induce apoptosis, subsequently decreasing telomerase activity.
- Findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of BCG immunotherapy.