Analysis of the antitumoral mechanisms of lipopolysaccharide against glioblastoma multiforme

Anticancer Drugs. 2003 Jul;14(6):457-66. doi: 10.1097/00001813-200307000-00012.

Abstract

Our objective was to analyze the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antitumoral effect upon glioblastoma, including whether the lipid A subunit alone can elicit glioblastoma regression, whether dexamethasone suppresses this response to LPS, whether B and T lymphocytes factor in this response, and whether this antitumoral effect of LPS provides resistance against subsequent challenge with glioblastoma. Mice (BALB/c, nude or SCID) implanted with s.c. DBT glioblastomas were treated with LPS (with or without dexamethasone) or with lipid A. A subset of BALB/c mice in which s.c. DBT glioblastomas had previously been eradicated using LPS were re-implanted with s.c. or intracranial (i.c.) DBT cells. For mice with s.c. tumors, mean tumor masses (MTM) were compared between groups. Survival was compared for mice with i.c. tumors. Lipid A caused near complete tumor regression of DBT glioblastomas in BALB/c mice (p<0.0001). Dexamethasone did not alter the antitumoral effect of LPS (p=0.48). LPS reduced the MTM of s.c. glioblastomas in T lymphocyte-deficient nude mice, but not as effectively as in immunocompetent mice. The antitumoral response to LPS for T and B lymphocyte-deficient SCID mice bearing DBT glioblastomas was similar to that for nude mice. Eradication of s.c. DBT glioblastoma in BALB/c provided partial resistance to subsequent challenge with s.c. or i.c. glioblastoma. We conclude that the LPS-mediated antitumoral response against glioblastoma is dependent upon the lipid A subunit of LPS, partially dependent upon T lymphocytes, independent of B lymphocytes, unaffected by dexamethasone and provides partial protection against subsequent challenges with glioblastoma.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Lipid A / therapeutic use*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / adverse effects
  • Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Lipopolysaccharides / therapeutic use*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Lipid A
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Dexamethasone