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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
Thalidomide suppresses melanoma growth by activating natural killer cells in mice
Ai Kawamata1, Daisuke Ito, Takeshi Odani
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Showa University, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan. ai@senzoku.showa-u.ac.jp.
Abstract:
Although thalidomide (Thd) is being extensively investigated for its effects on cytokine production and T cell costimulation, it is poorly understood whether it is capable of modulating the activities of natural killer (NK) cells. In this study, Thd effects on NK cell activity were examined with a murine model of melanoma, which is mostly rejected by NK cell-dependent mechanism. Administration of Thd significantly (p<0.01 on Day 21) suppressed the growth of subcutaneous B16F1 melanoma. In Thd-treated mice, marked splenomegaly and augmented splenocyte count were observed. Additionally, the percentage of splenic NK1.1+ cells was elevated to approximately 2.5-fold within 10 days after Thd treatment. The expression of interferon inducible protein (IP)-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 was remarkably upregulated. Production of the cytotoxic molecule perforin was also augmented. These data suggest that Thd strongly activates NK cell activity in mice, possibly resulting in enhanced tumor surveillance defense.
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