Effects of some natural immunomodulatory compounds in combination with thalidomide on survival rate and tumor size in fibrosarcoma-bearing mice.

PURPOSE: Despite significant advances have been achieved in cancer therapy, response to conventional treatments like surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy varies among individuals. Immunotherapy is known to be an effective strategy for patients who are resistant to the currently available interventions. METHODS: Ninety-six male Balb/c mice (aged 6-8 weeks) were selected and divided into twelve groups of eight. Approximately, 1×10(6)of WEHI-164 cells were injected to each mouse for tumor genesis. Five immunotherapy treatments were considered in this study, including Heat Shock Proteins (HSP), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), Bifidobacterium, Immuno-Modulator Drug (IMOD) and Thalidomide. After tumor formation, the groups were treated with one or more of these therapies. Tumor size and survival rate was regularly monitored. RESULTS: Depending on the treatment group, tumor sizes were different. In some groups, combined treatments demonstrated more inhibitory effects on tumor growth rate. The mice in group (IMOD+ Thalidomide) had the lowest survival rate but group (BCG+ HSP+ Thalidomide) survived until the end of the experiment. CONCLUSION: The (HSP+ BCG+ Thalidomide) group exhibited satisfactory outcomes and two third of the mice in this group went into complete remission. Some combination therapies in test groups had significant impacts on survival and tumor growth rate.