Significance of serum tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand as a prognostic biomarker for renal cell carcinoma.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is endogenously expressed in immune cells and contributes to immunosurveillance for cancer. TRAIL induces apoptosis preferentially in various cancer cells, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. In this study, the serum TRAIL level was examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 52 healthy controls and in 84 RCC patients prior to surgery and its significance as a biomarker was evaluated.

Enhancement of the sensitivity of renal cell carcinoma cells to fas-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis by the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor JTE-522.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme involved in the production of prostaglandins and its inhibitors have been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. We reasoned that combination treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells with COX-2 inhibitors and anticancer agents may result in synergistic apoptosis. We examined whether the selective COX-2 inhibitor JTE-522 synergizes with anticancer agents in cytotoxicity and apoptosis against RCC cells.

Significant antitumor activity of cationic multilamellar liposomes containing human interferon-beta gene in combination with 5-fluorouracil against human renal cell carcinoma.

Immunotherapy is one of the most effective treatments against metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the response rate is not high. Therefore, more effective therapies are necessary for patients with metastatic RCC.