title: Antiproliferative effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extract in urinary bladder carcinoma cell lines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the antiproliferative potency of Viscum album extract (VA-E) in human bladder carcinoma cell lines with regard to its possible use for intravesical therapy of superficial bladder cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proliferation (MTT-test or 3H-thymidine incorporation), necrotic disintegration (3H-thymidine release of prelabelled cells) and portions of apoptotic and/or necrotic cells (Annexin-V binding, propidium iodide (PI) labelling and DNA-fluorescence profiles by flow cytometry) were measured in four different human bladder carcinoma cell lines (T24, TCCSUP, J82 and UM-UC3) cultured in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antiproliferative effects of VA-E were observed in the four bladder carcinoma cell lines tested. Metabolic activity could also be completely abrogated by short-time contact of the cells with VA-E. Apoptosis and necrosis, as underlying mechanisms of action, were differentially expressed by the different cell lines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VA-E and cytotoxic proteins, i.e., mistletoe lectins (ML) and viscotoxins (VT), were able to block the growth of bladder carcinoma cells. Together with the immunomodulating properties of VA-E, the observed antiproliferative potency might give a rationale for the topical intravesical application of VA-E for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer.
authors.affiliation: Hisai Research Institute, CH-4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland. urech@hiscia.ch
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Urech
authors.forename: Arndt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buessing
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thalmann
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schaefermeyer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heusser
mesh_terms: D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D028182:Viscum album / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts