Upregulation of the surface expression of two integrins and induction of chemotactic activity in a human leukemic cell line by Oncoimmunin-M

Bone marrow activation by immobilized antibodies against tumor cells and immunocytes as a potential cancer immunotherapy

This study was aimed at combining the limited expression pattern of the type 1 mucin glycoproteins on tumors derived from glandular epithelia with the presence of integrin adhesion receptors on hematopoietic cells in order to develop an immunotherapy against certain types of carcinomas. To this end, monoclonal antibodies that recognize molecules on the surfaces of either tumor cells or immunocytes were immobilized on latex beads; proliferation of bone marrow cells, representing a source of preterminally differentiated immunocytes with potential antitumor activity, was measured and compared with that of mature lymphocytes in the presence of beads and irradiated tumor cells. It was found that only beads carrying antibodies against both mucins and leukocyte integrins were capable of inducing proliferation of bone marrow cells while none specifically stimulated mature lymphocytes. A proposal is put forth for the development of tumor-induced proliferation of bone marrow cells as a potential effective immunotherapy for some forms of cancer.