ISSN:
1432-0843
Keywords:
Key words Renal cell carcinoma
;
Interferon
;
5-Fluorouracil
;
Thymidine phosphorylase
;
Biomodulation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Purpose: To provide the basis for improved therapeutic benefit in combination chemotherapy with interferon (IFN) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), we investigated the modulatory actions of human recombinant IFN alfa-2a on 5-FU in five renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines in vitro, in particular focusing on thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression. Methods: The sensitivity of RCC cell lines to the drugs was evaluated using an AlamarBlue assay. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine TP expression. Results: IFN-α enhanced the sensitivity of three of five RCC cell lines to 5-FU in a dose- and schedule-dependent manner. When IFN-α was given prior to 5-FU, sensitivity to 5-FU was significantly higher than when IFN-α was given simultaneously (P 〈 0.05). IFN-α enhanced TP expression in a dose-dependent manner in three of five RCC cell lines (P 〈 0.05). The relative IFN-α-induced increase in sensitivity to 5-FU correlated with the relative IFN-α-induced increase in TP expression (P 〈 0.05). In addition, two of three RCC cell lines with more than a twofold increase in sensitivity to 5-FU induced by IFN-α showed a higher TP expression without IFN-α stimulation. Conclusions: These results suggest that IFN-α upregulates TP expression and modulates 5-FU anabolism thus enhancing 5-FU cytotoxicity in a dose- and schedule-dependent manner in some RCC cells. The results imply that TP expression measurement in RCC could identify subgroups of metastatic RCC that may respond to IFN-α/5-FU combination therapy, and sequential administration of IFN-α followed by 5-FU may be beneficial in such cases.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002800050951
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