Adenovirus-mediated murine interferon-gamma receptor transfer enhances the efficacy of IFN-gamma in vivo

Deregulation of interferon-gamma receptor 1 expression and its implications for lung adenocarcinoma progression

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a dual role in cancer; it is both a pro- and an antitumorigenic cytokine, depending on the type of cancer. The deregulation of the IFN-γ canonic pathway is associated with several disorders, including vulnerability to viral infections, inflammation, and cancer progression. In particular, the interplay between lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and viral infections appears to exist in association with the deregulation of IFN-γ signaling. In this mini-review, we investigated the status of the IFN-γ signaling pathway and the expression level of its components in LUAD. Interestingly, a reduction in IFNGR1 expression seems to be associated with LUAD progression, affecting defenses against viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In addition, alterations in the expression of IFNGR1 may inhibit the antiproliferative action of IFN-γ signaling in LUAD.

Role of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IFN-γ receptor 1/2 (IFNγR1/2) in regulation of immunity, infection, and cancer development: IFN-γ-dependent or independent pathway

IFN-γ, a soluble cytokine being produced by T lymphocytes, macrophages, mucosal epithelial cells, or natural killer cells, is able to bind to the IFN-γ receptor (IFNγR) and in turn activate the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and transcription protein (STAT) pathway and induce expression of IFN-γ-stimulated genes. IFN-γ is critical for innate and adaptive immunity and aberrant IFN-γ expression and functions have been associated with different human diseases. However, the IFN-γ/IFNγR signaling could be a double-edged sword in cancer development because the tissue microenvironments could determine its anti- or pro-tumorigenic activities. The IFNγR protein consists of two IFNγR1 and IFNγR2 chains, subunits of which play different roles under certain conditions. This review assessed IFNγR polymorphisms, expression and functions in development and progression of various human diseases in an IFN-γ-dependent or independent manner. This review also discussed tumor microenvironment, microbial infection, and vital molecules in the IFN-γ upstream signaling that might regulate IFNγR expression, drug resistance, and druggable strategy, to provide evidence for further application of IFNγR.

Gene Therapy Applications to Cancer Treatment

Over the past ten years significant advances have been made in the fields of gene therapy and tumour immunology, such that there now exists a considerable body of evidence validating the proof in the principle of gene therapy based cancer vaccines. While clinical benefit has so far been marginal, data from preclinical and early clinical trials of gene therapy combined with standard therapies are strongly suggestive of additional benefit. Many reasons have been proposed to explain the paucity of clinical responses to single agent vaccination strategies including the poor antigenicity of tumour cells and the development of tolerance through down-regulation of MHC, costimulatory, signal transduction, and other molecules essential for the generation of strong immune responses. In addition, there is now evidence from animal models that the growing tumour may actively inhibit the host immune response. Removal of the primary tumour prior to T cell transfer from the spleen of cancer bearing animals, led to effective tumour cell line specific immunity in the recipient mouse suggesting that there is an ongoing tumour-host interaction. This model also illustrates the potential difficulties of clinical vaccine trials in patients with advanced stage disease.

Cytokine receptor as a sensitizer for targeted cancer therapy

Introducing a cytokine receptor as a sensitizer into cancer cells offers a unique opportunity for receptor-targeted cancer therapy. It has been shown that transfection of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor gene in cancer cells or exposing cancer cells to certain reagents which increase expression of TNF receptors results in enhancement of the cytotoxic effect of TNF. In addition, the literature suggests that Fas/CD95-mediated apoptotic tumor cell killing is augmented by gene transfer of Fas into cancer cells or treatment of cells with agents like cisplatin and interferon (IFN)-gamma. In contrast to these approaches, we have discovered a new approach to cancer therapy; wherein introduction of a cytokine receptor chain into cancer cells sensitizes them to receptor-directed cytotoxins. We have demonstrated that when interleukin (IL)-13 receptor (IL-13R) alpha2 chain, one of the two known IL-13 binding proteins, is introduced into cancer cells that do not express this chain the cells acquire extreme sensitivity to a chimeric fusion cytotoxin composed of IL-13 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin (IL13-PE). Cells that do not express this chain or express low levels show limited sensitivity to IL13-PE. Acquisition of sensitivity to IL13-PE was observed both in vitro and in vivo when IL-13R alpha2-transfected human tumor cells were implanted in immunodeficient animals followed by systemic or regional IL13-PE therapy. Our third generation experiments suggest that this approach is feasible for clinical situations as intratumor administration of plasmid carrying the IL-13R alpha2 chain gene sensitized these tumors to systemic or regional IL13-PE therapy. This unique approach comprising gene transfer of cytokine receptor chain and receptor-targeted cytotoxin administration represents a novel strategy for cancer therapy.