Effects of Mycobacterium bovis Calmette et Guerin (BCG) in oncotherapy: Bladder cancer and beyond

The Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette et Guerin (BCG) vaccine was generated in 1921 with the efforts of a team of investigators, Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin, dedicated to the determination to develop a vaccine against active tuberculosis (TB) disease. Since then, BCG vaccination is used globally for protection against childhood and disseminated TB; however, its efficacy at protecting against pulmonary TB in adult and aging populations is highly variable. Due to the BCG generated immunity, this vaccine later proved to have an antitumor activity; though the standing mechanisms behind are still unclear. Recent studies indicate that both innate and adaptive cell responses may play an important role in BCG eradication and prevention of bladder cancer. Thus, cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils but also MHC-restricted CD4 and CD8 T cells and y6 T cells may play an important role and can be one the main effectors in BCG therapy. Here, we discuss the role of BCG therapy in bladder cancer and other cancers, including current strategies and their impact on the generation and sustainability of protective antitumor immunity against bladder cancer. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The BCG vaccine, originally developed to protect against active tuberculosis, has shown impressive antitumor activity, particularly in preventing bladder cancer. Recent studies indicate the importance of both innate and adaptive cell responses in BCG therapy, with cells like NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, as well as T cells playing key roles in eradicating cancer cells.