Bendamustine--a new approach to the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma?
OBJECTIVE
Therapeutic options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are limited. Bendamustine, a bifunctional cytostatic agent with mainly alkylating effect may be an alternative.


METHODS
Five HCC cell lines were incubated in vitro with five different concentrations of bendamustine. In addition, cell lines Huh-7 and HepG2 were tested in a chimeric mouse model.


RESULTS
In vitro treatment with bendamustine resulted in an IC( 50 )<6 microg/mL in two, <12 microg/mL in one, and 12-23 microg/mL in two cell lines. In vivo, bendamustine reduced significantly tumor volume in chimeric mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Bendamustine demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition both in vitro and in vivo at concentrations that can be reached in the plasma. The potential role of bendamustine therapy for HCC and its tolerability in impaired liver function is currently subject of a phase II study.
Wiedmann
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Leipzig, Germany. weidm@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Zeh
J
J
Schoppmeyer
K
K
Moebius
C
C
Niederhagen
M
M
Wittekind
C
C
Mossner
J
J
Caca
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069461:Bendamustine Hydrochloride; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002678:Chimera; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; D000069461:Bendamustine Hydrochloride