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Updated: May 15, 2026
Quantifying Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Tumor Spheroid Model: Application for Drug Discovery
Published on: April 26, 2024
The Nanoparticulate Quillaja Saponin BBE is selectively active towards renal cell carcinoma
Saadia B Hassan1, Joachim Gullbo, Kefei Hu
1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. sadia.hassan@medsci.uu.se
Aim:
To characterize the cytotoxic effect of BBE, the particulate of desacyl-saponin, in model systems of solid tumours.
Materials And Methods:
Cytotoxic activity of BBE was investigated in solid human tumour cell lines, in tumour cells from patients with renal cell carcinoma, in normal human renal cells and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The BBE mode of cell death was assessed in vitro. In vivo effect of BBE was evaluated in xenograft-bearing mice.
Results:
BBE was selectively active against renal cell carcinoma, with no or little effect on normal cells. BBE induced caspase activity and apoptosis. An inhibitory activity of BBE on xenograft tumour growth, with no apparent signs of haematological toxicity was shown. In the non-proliferative model of patient tumour cells, BBE was active on only 1/5 patient samples, suggesting association of BBE effect with cell proliferation.
Conclusion:
BBE has interesting activities against renal cell carcinoma and should be further explored as a drug against this resistant tumour type.
Insights
The desacyl-saponin particulate, BBE, shows selective cytotoxicity against renal cell carcinoma models. Further research is warranted for BBE as a potential drug for this resistant cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a resistant tumor type.
- Novel therapeutic agents are needed for RCC treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cytotoxic effect of BBE, a desacyl-saponin particulate, in solid tumor models.
- To evaluate BBE's potential as an anti-cancer drug.
Main Methods:
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays on human tumor cell lines, patient-derived RCC cells, normal renal cells, and PBMCs.
- Assessment of BBE-induced cell death mechanisms (apoptosis, caspase activity).
- In vivo efficacy study using xenograft mouse models.
Main Results:
- BBE demonstrated selective activity against RCC cells, sparing normal cells.
- BBE induced apoptosis and caspase activity in cancer cells.
- BBE inhibited xenograft tumor growth with no observed hematological toxicity.
- BBE's efficacy correlated with tumor cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- BBE exhibits promising selective activity against renal cell carcinoma.
- BBE warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for resistant RCC.
