Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) (BCG)

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis used primarily as a vaccine against tuberculosis. As an adjuvant, BCG enhances immune responses through activation of pattern recognition receptors, induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhancement of antigen-specific cellular responses. It is clinically used in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, and experimentally as a vaccine adjuvant against other pathogens.

Other names

BCG vaccineAttenuated Mycobacterium bovis

PRR activation (TLR2, TLR4, CLRs, NOD2, etc.), cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), trained immunity induction, enhanced antigen presentation, and T-cell responses leading to local inflammation and recruitment/activation of effector cells for antitumor activity.