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Švajger U, Kamenšek U. Interleukins and interferons in mesenchymal stromal stem cell-based gene therapy of cancer. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 77:76-90. [PMID: 38508954 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is importantly shaped by various cytokines, where interleukins (ILs) and interferons (IFNs) shape the balance of immune activity within tumor niche and associated lymphoid organs. Their importance in activation and tuning of both innate and adaptive immune responses prompted their use in several clinical trials, albeit with limited therapeutic efficacy and risk of toxicity due to systemic administration. Increasing preclinical evidence suggests that local delivery of ILs and IFNs could significantly increase their effectiveness, while simultaneously attenuate the known side effects and issues related to their biological activity. A prominent way to achieve this is to use cell-based delivery vehicles. For this purpose, mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) are considered an almost ideal candidate. Namely, MSCs can be obtained in large quantities and from obtainable sources (e.g. umbilical cord or adipose tissue), their ex vivo expansion is relatively straightforward compared to other cell types and they possess very low immunogenicity making them suitable for allogeneic use. Importantly, MSCs have shown an intrinsic capacity to respond to tumor-directed chemotaxis. This review provides a focused and detailed discussion on MSC-based gene therapy using ILs and IFNs, engineering techniques and insights on potential future advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urban Švajger
- Slovenian Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Department for Therapeutic Services, Šlajmerjeva Ulica 6, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
| | - Urška Kamenšek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 2, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia; Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
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2
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Sun JM, Fan HY, Zhu Y, Pan TT, Wu YP, Zhang DY, Hou XY. Glioblastoma cellular MAP4K1 facilitates tumor growth and disrupts T effector cell infiltration. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301966. [PMID: 37734869 PMCID: PMC10514360 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
MAP4K1 has been identified as a cancer immunotherapy target. Whether and how cancer cell-intrinsic MAP4K1 contributes to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) progression remains unclear. We found that MAP4K1 was highly expressed in the glioma cells of human GBM specimens. High levels of MAP4K1 mRNA were prevalent in IDH-WT and 1p/19q non-codeletion gliomas and correlated with poor prognosis of patients. MAP4K1 silencing inhibited GBM cell proliferation and glioma growth. Transcriptome analysis of GBM cells and patient samples showed that MAP4K1 modulated cytokine‒cytokine receptor interactions and chemokine signaling pathway, including IL-18R and IL-6R Importantly, MAP4K1 loss down-regulated membrane-bound IL-18R/IL-6R by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway, whereas MAP4K1 restoration rescued this phenotype and therefore GBM cell proliferation. MAP4K1 deficiency abolished GBM cell pro-proliferation responses to IL-18, suggesting an oncogenic role of MAP4K1 via the intrinsic IL-18/IL-18R pathway. In addition, GBM cell-derived MAP4K1 impaired T-cell migration and reduced CD8+ T-cell infiltration in mouse glioma models. Together, our findings provide novel insight into the pathological significance of GBM cell-intrinsic MAP4K1 in driving tumor growth and immune evasion by remodeling cytokine-chemokine networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Min Sun
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hong-Ye Fan
- https://ror.org/01sfm2718 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- https://ror.org/01sfm2718 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting-Ting Pan
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yong-Ping Wu
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dao-Yong Zhang
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Hou
- https://ror.org/01sfm2718 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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3
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Rahman T, Das A, Abir MH, Nafiz IH, Mahmud AR, Sarker MR, Emran TB, Hassan MM. Cytokines and their role as immunotherapeutics and vaccine Adjuvants: The emerging concepts. Cytokine 2023; 169:156268. [PMID: 37320965 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a protein family comprising interleukins, lymphokines, chemokines, monokines and interferons. They are significant constituents of the immune system, and they act in accordance with specific cytokine inhibiting compounds and receptors for the regulation of immune responses. Cytokine studies have resulted in the establishment of newer therapies which are being utilized for the treatment of several malignant diseases. The advancement of these therapies has occurred from two distinct strategies. The first strategy involves administrating the recombinant and purified cytokines, and the second strategy involves administrating the therapeutics which inhibits harmful effects of endogenous and overexpressed cytokines. Colony stimulating factors and interferons are two exemplary therapeutics of cytokines. An important effect of cytokine receptor antagonist is that they can serve as anti-inflammatory agents by altering the treatments of inflammation disorder, therefore inhibiting the effects of tumour necrosis factor. In this article, we have highlighted the research behind the establishment of cytokines as therapeutics and vaccine adjuvants, their role of immunotolerance, and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjilur Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Ayan Das
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Mehedy Hasan Abir
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Iqbal Hossain Nafiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Aar Rafi Mahmud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh
| | - Md Rifat Sarker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chattogram 4381, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh; Queensland Alliance for One Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4343, Australia.
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4
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Hesari M, Attar Z, Soltani-Shirazi S, Keshavarzian O, Taheri R, Tabrizi R, Fouladseresht H. The Therapeutic Values of IL-7/IL-7R and the Recombinant Derivatives in Glioma: A Narrative Review. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2023; 43:319-334. [PMID: 37566474 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is essential for maintaining the immune system's defense functions by regulating the development and homeostasis of lymphocytes. Findings have shown the high efficacy of IL-7/IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)-based immunotherapy on various malignancies, with confirmation in both animal models and humans. In recent years, the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients suffering from gliomas significantly increased by introducing C7R-expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and long-acting IL-7 agonists such as NT-I7 (rhIL-7-hyFc, Efineptakin alfa). However, the effect of IL-7-based immunotherapies on the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy (when used simultaneously with chemotherapy agents) is still ambiguous and requires further studies. This article first reviews the pathophysiological roles of IL-7/IL-7R in tumors, focusing on gliomas. Subsequently, it discusses the therapeutic values of IL-7/IL-7R and the recombinant derivatives in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeinab Attar
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shakiba Soltani-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Reza Taheri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Reza Tabrizi
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Hamed Fouladseresht
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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5
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Bednarz-Misa I, Bromke MA, Krzystek-Korpacka M. Interleukin (IL)-7 Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1290:9-49. [PMID: 33559853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55617-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-7 plays an important immunoregulatory role in different types of cells. Therefore, it attracts researcher's attention, but despite the fact, many aspects of its modulatory action, as well as other functionalities, are still poorly understood. The review summarizes current knowledge on the interleukin-7 and its signaling cascade in context of cancer development. Moreover, it provides a cancer-type focused description of the involvement of IL-7 in solid tumors, as well as hematological malignancies.The interleukin has been discovered as a growth factor crucial for the early lymphocyte development and supporting the growth of malignant cells in certain leukemias and lymphomas. Therefore, its targeting has been explored as a treatment modality in hematological malignancies, while the unique ability to expand lymphocyte populations selectively and without hyperinflammation has been used in experimental immunotherapies in patients with lymphopenia. Ever since the early research demonstrated a reduced growth of solid tumors in the presence of IL-7, the interleukin application in boosting up the anticancer immunity has been investigated. However, a growing body of evidence indicative of IL-7 upregulation in carcinomas, facilitating tumor growth and metastasis and aiding drug-resistance, is accumulating. It therefore becomes increasingly apparent that the response to the IL-7 stimulus strongly depends on cell type, their developmental stage, and microenvironmental context. The interleukin exerts its regulatory action mainly through phosphorylation events in JAK/STAT and PI3K/Akt pathways, while the significance of MAPK pathway seems to be limited to solid tumors. Given the unwavering interest in IL-7 application in immunotherapy, a better understanding of interleukin role, source in tumor microenvironment, and signaling pathways, as well as the identification of cells that are likely to respond should be a research priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Bednarz-Misa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz A Bromke
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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6
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Chen PY, Wu CYJ, Fang JH, Chen HC, Feng LY, Huang CY, Wei KC, Fang JY, Lin CY. Functional Change of Effector Tumor-Infiltrating CCR5 +CD38 +HLA-DR +CD8 + T Cells in Glioma Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2395. [PMID: 31649684 PMCID: PMC6794477 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human glioma facilitates an impaired anti-tumor immunity response, including defects in circulation of T lymphocytes. The level of CD8+ T-cell activation acts as an immune regulator associated with disease progression. However, little is known about the characteristics of peripheral and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in patients with glioma. In this study, we examined the level of CD8+ T-cell activation in a group of 143 patients with glioma and determined that peripheral CD3+ T cells decreased in accordance with disease severity. The patients' peripheral CD8+ T-cell populations were similar to that of healthy donors, and a small amount of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was identified in glioma tissues. An increase in activated CD8+ T cells, characterized as CD38+HLA-DR+, and their association with disease progression were identified in the patients' peripheral blood and glioma, and shown to display enriched CCR5+ and TNFR2+ expression levels. Ex vivo examination of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells indicated that this subset of cells displayed stronger secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 before and after a 6-h stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (ION) relative to healthy CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells, indicating the functional feasibility of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells. Higher CCL5 protein and mRNA levels were identified in glioma tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results revealing both CCL5 and CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cell expression. Patients' CCR5+CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells were further validated and shown to display increases in CD45RA+CCR7- and T-bet+ accompanied by substantial CD107-a, IFN-γ, and Granzyme B levels in response to glioma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Yuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Caren Yu-Ju Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jian-He Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chi Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ying Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yin Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chen Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-You Fang
- Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Anesthesiology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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7
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Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins: Biopharmaceuticals with immunomodulatory properties for cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:67-91. [PMID: 30201522 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines have long been used for therapeutic applications in cancer patients. Substantial side effects and unfavorable pharmacokinetics limit their application and may prevent dose escalation to therapeutically active regimens. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (often referred to as immunocytokines) may help localize immunomodulatory cytokine payloads to the tumor, thereby activating anticancer immune responses. A variety of formats (e.g., intact IgGs or antibody fragments), molecular targets (e.g., extracellular matrix components and cell membrane antigens) and cytokine payloads have been considered for the development of this novel class of biopharmaceuticals. This review presents the basic concepts on the design and engineering of immunocytokines, reviews their potential limitations, points out emerging opportunities and summarizes key features of preclinical and clinical-stage products.
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8
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Han F, Hu R, Su M, Yu Y, Yang H, Lai L. A human recombinant IL-7/HGFβ hybrid cytokine enhances antitumor immunity in mice. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1714-1723. [PMID: 28861327 PMCID: PMC5574943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We purified a hybrid cytokine that contains interleukin-7 (IL-7) and the beta-chain of hepatocyte growth factor (HGFβ) from a unique long-term murine bone marrow culture system. We have cloned and expressed the human form of IL-7/HGFβ in which the IL-7 and HGFβ genes are connected by a flexible linker to produce a single-chain recombinant human IL-7/HGFβ protein (hrIL-7/HGFβ). To determine whether hrIL-7/HGFβ has antitumor activity, we injected this hybrid cytokine into melanoma and colon cancer animal models, and then assessed the local tumor growth and tumor metastasis. We show here that in vivo administration of hrIL-7/HGFβ significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of malignant melanoma and colon cancer in mice. The antitumor activity was involved in a marked increase in the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and activated dendritic cells. The immunological mechanism by which hrIL-7/HGFβ inhibits tumor growth was confirmed by its inability to inhibit tumor growth in vitro and in immunodeficient mice. Furthermore, immune cells from hrIL-7/HGFβ-treated cancer-bearing mice can be adoptively transferred into naïve mice to resist same tumor cell challenge. Therefore, hrIL-7/HGFβ has potential applications in the treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Han
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
| | - Min Su
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
| | - Yanni Yu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
| | - Hua Yang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
- University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA
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9
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Song Y, Liu Y, Hu R, Su M, Rood D, Lai L. In Vivo Antitumor Activity of a Recombinant IL7/IL15 Hybrid Cytokine in Mice. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:2413-2421. [PMID: 27474151 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Both IL7 and IL15 have become important candidate immunomodulators for cancer treatment. However, IL7 or IL15 used alone suffers from shortcomings, such as short serum half-life and limited antitumor effect. We have cloned and expressed a recombinant (r) IL7/IL15 fusion protein in which IL7 and IL15 are linked by a flexible linker. We then compared the antitumor effect of rIL7/IL15 with the individual factors rIL7 and/or rIL15. We show here that rIL7/IL15 has a higher antitumor activity than the combination of the individual factors in both murine B16F10 melanoma and CT-26 colon cancer models. This was associated with a significant increase in tumor infiltration of T cells, DCs, and NK cells and a decrease in regulatory T cells (Tregs). In addition, rIL7/IL15-treated DCs had higher expression of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. The higher antitumor activity of rIL7/IL15 is likely due to its longer in vivo half-life and different effects on immune cells. Our results suggest that rIL7/IL15 may offer a new tool to enhance antitumor immunity and treat cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(10); 2413-21. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhong Song
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. Medical College, Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yalan Liu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Min Su
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Debra Rood
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
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10
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Ding ZC, Liu C, Cao Y, Habtetsion T, Kuczma M, Pi W, Kong H, Cacan E, Greer SF, Cui Y, Blazar BR, Munn DH, Zhou G. IL-7 signaling imparts polyfunctionality and stemness potential to CD4(+) T cells. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1171445. [PMID: 27471650 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1171445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional status of CD4(+) T cells is a critical determinant of antitumor immunity. Polyfunctional CD4(+) T cells possess the ability to concomitantly produce multiple Th1-type cytokines, exhibiting a functional attribute desirable for cancer immunotherapy. However, the mechanisms by which these cells are induced are neither defined nor it is clear if these cells can be used therapeutically to treat cancer. Here, we report that CD4(+) T cells exposed to exogenous IL-7 during antigenic stimulation can acquire a polyfunctional phenotype, characterized by their ability to simultaneously express IFNγ, IL-2, TNFα and granzyme B. This IL-7-driven polyfunctional phenotype was associated with increased histone acetylation in the promoters of the effector genes, indicative of increased chromatin accessibility. Moreover, forced expression of a constitutively active (CA) form of STAT5 recapitulated IL-7 in inducing CD4(+) T-cell polyfunctionality. Conversely, the expression of a dominant negative (DN) form of STAT5 abolished the ability of IL-7 to induce polyfunctional CD4(+) T cells. These in-vitro-generated polyfunctional CD4(+) T cells can traffic to tumor and expand intratumorally in response to immunization. Importantly, adoptive transfer of polyfunctional CD4(+) T cells following lymphodepletive chemotherapy was able to eradicate large established tumors. This beneficial outcome was associated with the occurrence of antigen epitope spreading, activation of the endogenous CD8(+) T cells and persistence of donor CD4(+) T cells exhibiting memory stem cell attributes. These findings indicate that IL-7 signaling can impart polyfunctionality and stemness potential to CD4(+) T cells, revealing a previously unknown property of IL-7 that can be exploited in adoptive T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Chun Ding
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Chufeng Liu
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Orthodontics, Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Orthodontics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR, China
| | - Tsadik Habtetsion
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Michal Kuczma
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Wenhu Pi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Heng Kong
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, PR, China
| | - Ercan Cacan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Susanna F Greer
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yan Cui
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Bruce R Blazar
- Department of Pediatrics and Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David H Munn
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Gang Zhou
- Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University , Augusta, GA, USA
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Abstract
Immunotherapy is coming to the fore as a viable anti-cancer treatment modality, even in poorly immunogenic cancers such as glioblastoma (GBM). Accumulating evidence suggests that the central nervous system may not be impervious to tumor-specific immune cells and could be an adequate substrate for immunologic anti-cancer therapies. Recent advances in antigen-specific cancer vaccines and checkpoint blockade in GBM provide promise for future immunotherapy in glioma. As anti-GBM immunotherapeutics enter clinical trials, it is important to understand the interactions, if any, between immune-based treatment modalities and the current standard of care for GBM involving chemoradiation and steroid therapy. Current data suggests that chemoradiation may not preclude the success of immunotherapeutics, as their effects may be synergistic. The future of therapy for GBM lies in the power of combination modalities, involving immunotherapy and the current standard of care.
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12
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The future of glioblastoma therapy: synergism of standard of care and immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2014; 6:1953-85. [PMID: 25268164 PMCID: PMC4276952 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6041953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The current standard of care for glioblastoma (GBM) is maximal surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ). As the 5-year survival with GBM remains at a dismal <10%, novel therapies are needed. Immunotherapies such as the dendritic cell (DC) vaccine, heat shock protein vaccines, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) vaccines have shown encouraging results in clinical trials, and have demonstrated synergistic effects with conventional therapeutics resulting in ongoing phase III trials. Chemoradiation has been shown to have synergistic effects when used in combination with immunotherapy. Cytotoxic ionizing radiation is known to trigger pro-inflammatory signaling cascades and immune activation secondary to cell death, which can then be exploited by immunotherapies. The future of GBM therapeutics will involve finding the place for immunotherapy in the current treatment regimen with a focus on developing strategies. Here, we review current GBM therapy and the evidence for combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors, DC and peptide vaccines with the current standard of care.
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Gou HF, Huang J, Shi HS, Chen XC, Wang YS. Chemo-immunotherapy with oxaliplatin and interleukin-7 inhibits colon cancer metastasis in mice. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85789. [PMID: 24465710 PMCID: PMC3897491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy has shown promise for cancer. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) can potentially enhance immune responses against tumor, while oxaliplatin (OXP), a platinum-based drug, can promote a favorable immune microenvironment and stimulate anticancer immune responses. We evaluated the anti-tumor activity of IL-7 combining OXP against a murine colon carcinoma in vitro and in vivo and studied the tumor immune microenvironment to investigate whether the combined treatment affects on the local immune cell populations. Utilizing lung and abdomen metastasis models by inoculation of CT26 mice colon cancer cells, we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of combining IL-7 and OXP in mice models. Tumor immune microenvironment was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Our study showed that the in vivo administration of IL-7 combined with OXP markedly inhibited the growth of tumors in lung and abdomen metastasis models of colon cancer. IL-7 alone had no effect on tumor growth in mice and IL-7 did not alter cell sensitivity to OXP in culture. The antitumor effect of combining IL-7 and OXP correlated with a marked increase in the number of tumor-infiltrating activated CD8+ T cells and a marked decrease in the number of regulatory T (Treg) cells in spleen. Our data suggest that OXP plus IL-7 treatment inhibits tumor cell growth by immunoregulation rather than direct cytotoxicity. Our findings justify further evaluation of combining IL-7 and chemotherapy as a novel experimental cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Feng Gou
- Department of Abdominal Cancer, Cancer Center, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Department of Abdominal Cancer, Cancer Center, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua-Shan Shi
- Department of Head and Neck Cancer, Cancer Center, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin-chuan Chen
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Cancer, Cancer Center, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail:
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14
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List T, Neri D. Immunocytokines: a review of molecules in clinical development for cancer therapy. Clin Pharmacol 2013; 5:29-45. [PMID: 23990735 PMCID: PMC3753206 DOI: 10.2147/cpaa.s49231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of therapeutically enhancing the immune system’s responsiveness to tumors is
long standing. Several cytokines have been investigated in clinical trials for their therapeutic
activity in cancer patients. However, substantial side effects and unfavorable pharmacokinetic
properties have been a major drawback hampering the administration of therapeutically relevant
doses. The use of recombinant antibody–cytokine fusion proteins promises to significantly
enhance the therapeutic index of cytokines by targeting them to the site of disease. This review
aims to provide a concise and complete overview of the preclinical data and clinical results
currently available for all immunocytokines having reached clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas List
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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16
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Immunocytokines: a novel class of potent armed antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2012; 17:583-90. [PMID: 22289353 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2012.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Several cytokines have been investigated in clinical trials, based on their potent therapeutic activity observed in animal models of cancer and other diseases. However, substantial toxicities are often reported at low doses, thus preventing escalation to therapeutically active regimens. The use of recombinant antibodies or antibody fragments as delivery vehicles promises to enhance greatly the therapeutic index of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This review surveys preclinical and clinical data published in the field of antibody-cytokine fusions (immunocytokines). Molecular determinants (such as molecular format, valence, target antigen), which crucially contribute to immunocytokine performance in vivo, are discussed in the article, as well as recent trends for the combined use of this novel class of biopharmaceuticals with other therapeutic agents.
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Schwenter F, Zarei S, Luy P, Padrun V, Bouche N, Lee JS, Mulligan RC, Morel P, Mach N. Cell encapsulation technology as a novel strategy for human anti-tumor immunotherapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2011; 18:553-62. [PMID: 21566667 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2011.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an adjuvant in autologous cell-based anti-tumor immunotherapy has recently been approved for clinical application. To avoid the need for individualized processing of autologous cells, we developed a novel strategy based on the encapsulation of GM-CSF-secreting human allogeneic cells. GM-CSF-producing K562 cells showed high, stable and reproducible cytokine secretion when enclosed into macrocapsules. For clinical development, the cryopreservation of these devices is critical. Thawing of capsules frozen at different time points displayed differences in GM-CSF release shortly after thawing. However, similar secretion values to those of non-frozen control capsules were obtained 8 days after thawing at a rate of >1000 ng GM-CSF per capsule every 24 h. For future human application, longer and reinforced capsules were designed. After irradiation and cryopreservation, these capsules produced >300 ng GM-CSF per capsule every 24 h 1 week after thawing. The in vivo implantation of encapsulated K562 cells was evaluated in mice and showed preserved cell survival. Finally, as a proof of principle of biological activity, capsules containing B16-GM-CSF allogeneic cells implanted in mice induced a prompt inflammatory reaction. The ability to reliably achieve high adjuvant release using a standardized procedure may lead to a new clinical application of GM-CSF in cell-based cancer immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Schwenter
- Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospital and Medical School, Switzerland.
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18
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Pasche N, Woytschak J, Wulhfard S, Villa A, Frey K, Neri D. Cloning and characterization of novel tumor-targeting immunocytokines based on murine IL7. J Biotechnol 2011; 154:84-92. [PMID: 21527292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2011.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We generated and characterized novel antibody-cytokine fusion proteins ("immunocytokines") based on murine interleukin-7 (IL7), an immunomodulatory protein which has previously shown anti-cancer activity in preclinical models and whose human counterpart is currently being investigated in clinical trials. The sequential fusion of the clinical-stage antibody fragment scFv(F8), specific to a tumor-associated splice isoform of fibronectin, yielded an immunocytokine (termed "F8-mIL7") of insufficient pharmaceutical quality and in vivo tumor targeting performance, with a striking dose dependence on tumor targeting selectivity. By contrast, a novel immunocytokine design (termed "F8-mIL7-F8"), in which two scFv moieties were fused at the N- and C-terminus of murine IL7, yielded a protein of excellent pharmaceutical quality and with improved tumor-targeting performance [tumor: blood ratio=16:1, 24h after injection]. Both F8-mIL7 and F8-mIL7-F8 could induce tumor growth retardation in immunocompetent mice, but were not able to eradicate F9 tumors. The combination of F8-mIL7-F8 with paclitaxel led to improved therapeutic results, which were significantly better compared to those obtained with saline treatment. The study indicates how the engineering of novel immunocytokine formats may help generate fusion proteins of acceptable pharmaceutical quality, for those immunomodulatory proteins which do not lend themselves to a direct fusion with antibody fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Pasche
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Cytokines that signal through the common-gamma chain are potent growth factors for T cells and natural killer cells. Interleukin (IL)-2, the gammac prototype, can mediate antitumor effects as a single agent or in the context of multimodality regimens but is limited by side effects and a propensity for expansion of regulatory T cells. IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 each possess properties that can be exploited in the context of immunotherapy for cancer. Each has been demonstrated to mediate potent vaccine adjuvant effects in tumor models, and each can enhance the effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapies. Although the overlap among the agents is significant, IL-7 is uniquely immunorestorative and preferentially augments reactivity of naive populations, IL-15 potently augments reactivity of CD8 memory cells and natural killer cells, and IL-21 preferentially expands the inflammatory Th17 subset and may limit terminal differentiation of effector CD8 cells. Clinical trials of IL-7 and IL-21 have already been completed and, so far, demonstrate safety and biologic activity of these agents. Clinical trials of IL-15 are expected soon. Ultimately, these agents are expected to be most effective in the context of multimodal immunotherapy regimens, and careful clinical trial design will be needed to efficiently identify the proper doses, regimens, and settings in which to exploit their biologic properties for therapeutic gain.
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20
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Lai L, Jin J, Goldschneider I. In vivo antitumor activity of a recombinant IL-7/HGFbeta hybrid cytokine in mice. Cancer Res 2010; 71:61-7. [PMID: 21084268 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-3198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The immune cytokine interleukin (IL)-7 and the β-chain of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) aggregate to form a naturally occurring heterodimer that stimulates the growth of common lymphoid progenitors and immature B and T lymphoid cells. We have cloned and expressed the heterodimer as a single-chain hybrid cytokine [recombinant (r) IL-7/HGFβ], which stimulates short-term hematopoietic stem cells as well as lymphoid precursors. Inasmuch as IL-7 and HGF are known to have antitumor and protumor activities, respectively, we determined here whether either of these activities is exhibited by rIL-7/HGFβ. We show that the in vivo administration of rIL-7/HGFβ markedly inhibits the growth of newly initiated and established tumors and the formation of pulmonary metastases in murine models of colon cancer and melanoma. The antitumor effect of rIL-7/HGFβ correlated with a marked increase in the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and activated dendritic cells. A major role for these immune cells in tumor suppression was indicated by the inability of rIL-7/HGFβ to inhibit the growth of tumor cells in vitro and in congenitally athymic mice. Analysis of interferon-γ-secreting T cells showed that the immune response was tumor specific. Our findings justify further evaluation of rIL-7/HGFβ as a novel experimental cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laijun Lai
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
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21
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Intratumoral IL-7 delivery by mesenchymal stromal cells potentiates IFNgamma-transduced tumor cell immunotherapy of experimental glioma. J Neuroimmunol 2009; 218:140-4. [PMID: 19914721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 10/23/2009] [Accepted: 10/23/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study reports regression of pre-established experimental rat gliomas as a result of combining peripheral immunization using interferon gamma (IFNgamma) transduced autologous tumor cells with local intratumoral delivery of interleukin 7 (IL-7) by mesenchymal stromal cells. IL-7 alone significantly decreased the tumor area and this effect was enhanced with IFNgamma immunization. A higher density of intratumoral T-cells was observed in animals receiving combined therapies compared to rats receiving either cytokine alone suggesting that the therapeutic effect is dependent on a T-cell response.
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22
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Adjuvant IL-7 antagonizes multiple cellular and molecular inhibitory networks to enhance immunotherapies. Nat Med 2009; 15:528-36. [PMID: 19396174 DOI: 10.1038/nm.1953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 03/30/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Identifying key factors that enhance immune responses is crucial for manipulating immunity to tumors. We show that after a vaccine-induced immune response, adjuvant interleukin-7 (IL-7) improves antitumor responses and survival in an animal model. The improved immune response is associated with increased IL-6 production and augmented T helper type 17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, IL-7 modulates the expression of two ubiquitin ligases: Casitas B-lineage lymphoma b (Cbl-b), a negative regulator of T cell activation, is repressed, and SMAD-specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase-2 (Smurf2) is enhanced, which antagonizes transforming growth factor-beta signaling. Notably, we show that although short term IL-7 therapy potently enhances vaccine-mediated immunity, in the absence of vaccination it is inefficient in promoting antitumor immune responses, despite inducing homeostatic proliferation of T cells. The ability of adjuvant IL-7 to antagonize inhibitory networks at the cellular and molecular level has major implications for immunotherapy in the treatment of tumors.
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23
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Lee SJ, Rossi RJ, Lee SK, Croft M, Kwon BS, Mittler RS, Vella AT. CD134 Costimulation Couples the CD137 Pathway to Induce Production of Supereffector CD8 T Cells That Become IL-7 Dependent. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 179:2203-14. [PMID: 17675480 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.4.2203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The TNFR superfamily members 4-1BB (CD137) and OX40 (CD134) are costimulatory molecules that potently boost CD8 and CD4 T cell responses. Concomitant therapeutic administration of agonist anti-CD137 and -CD134 mAbs mediates rejection of established tumors and fosters powerful CD8 T cell responses. To reveal the mechanism, the role of CD137 expression by specific CD8 T cells was determined to be essential for optimal clonal expansion and accumulation of effector cells. Nonetheless, dual costimulation induced production of supereffector CD8 T cells when either the specific T cells or the host alone bore CD137. Perhaps surprisingly, the total absence of CD137 prevented anti-CD134 augmentation of supereffector differentiation demonstrating an unappreciated link between these related pathways. Ultimately, it was reasoned that these powerful dual costimulatory responses involved common gamma family members, and we show substantial increases of CD25 and IL-7Ralpha-chain expression by the specific CD8 T cells. To investigate this further, it was shown that IL-7 mediated T cell accumulation, but importantly, a gradual and preferential effect of survival was directed toward supereffector CD8 T cells. In fact, a clear enhancement of effector differentiation was demonstrated to be proportional to the increasing amount of IL-7Ralpha expression by the specific CD8 T cells. Therefore, dual costimulation through CD137 and CD134 drives production and survival of supereffector CD8 T cells through a distinct IL-7-dependent pathway.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cell Survival/genetics
- Cell Survival/immunology
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation/immunology
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/immunology
- Interleukin-7/genetics
- Interleukin-7/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Receptors, Interleukin-7/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin-7/immunology
- Receptors, OX40/agonists
- Receptors, OX40/genetics
- Receptors, OX40/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/agonists
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/genetics
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Joo Lee
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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24
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Abstract
GVAX is a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene-transfected tumor cell vaccine. Original work with GM-CSF as a recombinant DNA protein (Leukine) involved proliferative stimulation of macrophages and neutrophils for the purpose of reducing hematopoietic toxicity related to dose-intensive chemotherapy. Following US Food and Drug Administration approval of Leukine several years ago, extensive preclinical results have demonstrated an immunostimulatory effect related to GM-CSF gene when transfected into tumor cells and used as a vaccine (GVAX). Tumor regression and prolonged survival was demonstrated in animal models. Toxicology with GVAX indicated no adverse effects, which enabled further testing in cancer patients. A small number of responses were demonstrated in Phase I trials in immunosensitive cancer patients (renal cell carcinoma and melanoma). However, a series of dramatic complete and durable responses in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients, demonstrated in recent clinical trials, have generated interest in further development of this vaccine in nontraditional cancer disease types. The rationale of GVAX development and a summary of clinical results are reviewed.
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25
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Kikuchi T, Akasaki Y, Abe T, Fukuda T, Saotome H, Ryan JL, Kufe DW, Ohno T. Vaccination of Glioma Patients with Fusions of Dendritic and Glioma Cells and Recombinant Human Interleukin 12. J Immunother 2004; 27:452-9. [PMID: 15534489 DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200411000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite aggressive treatment, the median survival of patients with high-grade malignant astrocytoma is about 1 year. The authors investigated the safety and clinical response to immunotherapy using fusions of dendritic and glioma cells combined with recombinant human interleukin 12 (rhIL-12) for the treatment of malignant glioma. Fifteen patients with malignant glioma participated in this study. Dendritic cells were generated from peripheral blood. Cultured autologous glioma cells were established from surgical specimens in each case. Fusion cells were prepared from dendritic and glioma cells using polyethylene glycol. All patients received fusion cells intradermally on day 1. rhIL-12 was injected subcutaneously at the same site on days 3 and 7. Response to the treatment was evaluated by clinical observations and radiologic findings. No serious adverse effects were observed. In four patients, magnetic resonance imaging showed a greater than 50% reduction in tumor size. One patient had a mixed response. These results show that administration of fusion cells and rhIL-12 safely induces clinical antitumor effects in some patients with malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Kikuchi
- Department of Oncology, Institute of DNA Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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26
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Nemunaitis J, Sterman D, Jablons D, Smith JW, Fox B, Maples P, Hamilton S, Borellini F, Lin A, Morali S, Hege K. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene-modified autologous tumor vaccines in non-small-cell lung cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004; 96:326-31. [PMID: 14970281 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djh028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of vaccination with autologous tumor cells genetically modified with an adenoviral vector (Ad-GM) to secrete human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), we conducted a phase I/II multicenter trial in patients with early and advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Vaccines were generated from autologous tumor harvests. Intradermal injections were given every 2 weeks for a total of three to six vaccinations. Tumors were harvested from 83 patients, 20 with early-stage NSCLC and 63 with advanced- stage NSCLC; vaccines were successfully manufactured for 67 patients, and 43 patients were vaccinated. The most common toxicity was a local injection-site reaction (93%). Three of 33 advanced-stage patients, two with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, had durable complete tumor responses (lasting 6, 18, and >or=22 months). Longer survival was observed in patients receiving vaccines secreting GM-CSF at more than 40 ng/24 h per 10(6) cells (median survival = 17 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6 to 23 months) than in patients receiving vaccines secreting less GM-CSF (median survival = 7 months, 95% CI = 4 to 10 months) (P =.028), suggesting a vaccine dose-related survival advantage.
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27
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Nemunaitis J, Nemunaitis J. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene-transfected autologous tumor cell vaccine: focus[correction to fcous] on non-small-cell lung cancer. Clin Lung Cancer 2004; 5:148-57. [PMID: 14667270 DOI: 10.3816/clc.2003.n.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not thought of as an immunosensitive malignancy. However, recent clinical results with GVAX, a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene-transduced autologous tumor vaccine, may suggest otherwise. This review summarizes immune-induced activity caused by GM-CSF protein and GM-CSF gene-transfected vaccines. Initial indication of use for GM-CSF protein (sargramostim) was to improve neutrophil recovery following cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, several trials involving patients with hematologic malignancy demonstrated improvement in survival related to delayed disease progression in patients receiving sargramostim in combination with chemotherapy. Subsequently, others explored potential antitumor activity with sargramostim in a variety of trials. Results did not consistently demonstrate sufficient antitumor activity to justify routine use of sargramostim as an anticancer agent. Preclinical work with GM-CSF gene-transfected vaccines, however, did demonstrate significant activity, thereby justifying clinical investigation. Patients with metastatic NSCLC who had previously failed chemotherapy demonstrated response to GVAX (3 of 33 complete responses) and dose-related improvement in survival (471 days vs. 174 days).
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28
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Walker PR, Calzascia T, de Tribolet N, Dietrich PY. T-cell immune responses in the brain and their relevance for cerebral malignancies. BRAIN RESEARCH. BRAIN RESEARCH REVIEWS 2003; 42:97-122. [PMID: 12738053 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0173(03)00141-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In order that cellular immune responses afford protection without risk to sensitive normal tissue, they must be adapted to individual tissues of the body. Nowhere is this more critical than for the brain, where various passive and active mechanisms maintain a state of immune privilege that can limit high magnitude immune responses. Nevertheless, it is now clear that immune responses are induced to antigens in the brain, including those expressed by cerebral malignancies. We discuss hypotheses of how this can occur, although details such as which antigen presenting cells are involved remain to be clarified. Antitumor responses induced spontaneously are insufficient to eradicate malignant astrocytomas; many studies suggest that this can be explained by a combination of low level immune response induction and tumor mediated immunosuppression. A clinical objective currently pursued is to use immunotherapy to ameliorate antitumour immunity. This will necessitate a high level immune response to ensure sufficient effector cells reach the tumor bed, focused cytotoxicity to eradicate malignant cells with little collateral damage to critical normal cells, and minimal inflammation. To achieve these aims, priority should be given to identifying more target antigens in astrocytoma and defining those cells present in the brain parenchyma that are essential to maintain antitumour effector function without exacerbating inflammation. If we are armed with better understanding of immune interactions with brain tumor cells, we can realistically envisage that immunotherapy will one day offer hope to patients with currently untreatable neoplastic diseases of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Walker
- Laboratory of Tumour Immunology, Division of Oncology, Geneva University Hospital, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
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29
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Walker PR, Calzascia T, Dietrich PY. All in the head: obstacles for immune rejection of brain tumours. Immunology 2002; 107:28-38. [PMID: 12225360 PMCID: PMC1782770 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.2002.01507.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Walker
- Laboratory of Tumour Immunology, Division of Oncology, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
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30
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Zhang W, Yang H, Zeng H. Enhancing antitumor by immunization with fusion of dendritic cells and engineered tumor cells. Curr Med Sci 2002; 22:1-4. [PMID: 12658768 DOI: 10.1007/bf02904773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2001] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A novel approach for a dentritic cells (DCs)-based tumor vaccine was developed for the formation of hybrid-engineered J558 after fusion with DCs. To make the hybrid-tumor vaccine generate more efficient specific CTL cytotoxicity against wild-type tumor cells, we genetically engineered tumor cells with mIL-12 gene prior to the cell fusion. mIL-12 was detected at 870 +/- 60 pg/(10(5) cells/ml) in the culture supernatants and the fusion ratio was about 30% by the co-focal microscopic analysis. Vaccination of mice with DCs fused with engineered J558 induced more efficient tumor-specific CTL cytotoxicity against wild-type tumor cells in vitro and with efficient antitumor immunity in vivo. These results suggest that this approach of using DCs fused with engineered tumor cells could be applied in clinical settings of DCs-based cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030
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31
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Lumniczky K, Desaknai S, Mangel L, Szende B, Hamada H, Hidvegi EJ, Safrany G. Local tumor irradiation augments the antitumor effect of cytokine-producing autologous cancer cell vaccines in a murine glioma model. Cancer Gene Ther 2002; 9:44-52. [PMID: 11916244 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2001] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The combined therapeutic effect of cytokine-producing cancer cell vaccines and local radiotherapy was studied in a mouse glioma 261 (GI261) brain tumor model. Brain tumor-bearing mice were treated with cytokine (IL -4, IL-6, IL-7, GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, LIF, LT) producing vaccines made by in vitro transduction of GI261 cells with the corresponding adenoviral vectors. Vaccines producing either IL-4 or GM-CSF cured 20-40% of mice. The antitumor effect strongly depended on the secreted cytokine level. Vaccination therapy induced specific activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes measured by cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay. Brain tumors were heavily infiltrated by CD4+ lymphocytes after treatment with IL-4- or GM-CSF-secreting cells. GM-CSF vaccination induced moderate CD8+ infiltration, as well. Depleting either CD4+ or CD8+ lymphocyte subsets abolished the anticancer effect of GM-CSF-expressing cells. Strong synergism was observed by combining cytokine vaccination (GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-12) with local tumor irradiation: about 80-100% of the glioma-bearing mice was cured. The high efficiency of combined treatment was maintained even under suboptimal conditions when neither of the modalities cured any of the mice alone. This suggests that vaccination therapy might open a new potential in the clinical treatment of high-grade gliomas when applied as adjuvant to existing treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Lumniczky
- Department of Molecular and Tumor Radiobiology, National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary
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32
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Antitumor Effect of Immunizations With Fusions of Dendritic and Glioma Cells in a Mouse Brain Tumor Model. J Immunother 2001. [DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200103000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Takakuwa T, Nomura S, Matsuzuka F, Inoue H, Aozasa K. Expression of interleukin-7 and its receptor in thyroid lymphoma. J Transl Med 2000; 80:1483-90. [PMID: 11045564 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.3780157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Patho-epidemiological studies have shown that thyroid lymphomas (TL) develop in thyroids affected by chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLTH). Cytokines produced in CLTH might play a pivotal role for lymphomagenesis, because previous reports indicate an important role of cytokines in lymphomagenesis. We examined the expression of interleukin-7 (IL-7), a pleiotropic cytokine that acts mainly on cells of the hematolymphoid system, and IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) in both TL and CLTH by RT-PCR. IL-7-specific transcripts were detected more frequently in TL than in CLTH lesions (p < 0.01). IL-7 expression was higher in TL than in CLTH. IL-7R and the common gamma chain were expressed in all but one TL and in all CLTH lesions, in similar levels. We established the sensitive in situ hybridization (ISH) method for detection of IL-7. ISH for IL-7 revealed cytoplasmic signals among cells in the germinal center and mantle zone of lymphoid follicles and interfollicular areas in the TL and CLTH lesions. In the lymphomatous areas of TL, similar numbers of scattered large and small lymphoid cells expressing IL-7 were found. The number of IL-7-expressing cells counted in 10 fields in TL (119.4 +/- 10.6 cells) was significantly higher than found in CLTH lesions (43.1 +/- 4.6) (p < 0.001). These findings suggest a pathogenetic role for IL-7 in the development of TL. ISH showed that the germinal center cells, interfollicular cells, and lymphoma cells expressed IL-7R, but mantle zone cells did not. Because lymphoid cells in lymphoid follicles and the interfollicular area formed in CLTH expressed IL-7, TL cells might proliferate via their own IL-7 and IL-7R, and via IL-7 from reactive lymphoid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Takakuwa
- Department of Pathology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan
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Walker PR, Calzascia T, Schnuriger V, Scamuffa N, Saas P, de Tribolet N, Dietrich PY. The brain parenchyma is permissive for full antitumor CTL effector function, even in the absence of CD4 T cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 165:3128-35. [PMID: 10975826 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.6.3128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Effective antitumor immune responses against cerebral malignancies have been demonstrated in several models, but precise cellular function of specific effector cells is poorly understood. We have explored this topic by analyzing the MHC class I-restricted T cell response elicited after implantation of HLA-CW3-transfected P815 mastocytoma cells (P815-CW3) in syngeneic mice. In this model, tumor-specific CTLs use a distinctive repertoire of TCRs that allows ex vivo assessment of the response by immunophenotyping and TCR spectratyping. Thus, for the first time in a brain tumor model, we are able to directly visualize ex vivo CTLs specific for a tumor-expressed Ag. Tumor-specific CTLs are detected in the CNS after intracerebral implantation of P815-CW3, together with other inflammatory cells. Moreover, despite observations in other models suggesting that CTLs infiltrating the brain may be functionally compromised and highly dependent upon CD4 T cells, in this syngeneic P815-CW3 model, intracerebral tumors were efficiently rejected, whether or not CD4 T cells were present. This observation correlated with potent ex vivo cytotoxicity of brain-infiltrating CTLs, specific for the immunodominant epitope CW3170-179 expressed on P815-CW3 tumor cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain Neoplasms/immunology
- Brain Neoplasms/pathology
- Brain Neoplasms/prevention & control
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Movement/immunology
- Cell Separation
- Clone Cells
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/genetics
- Female
- Graft Rejection/genetics
- Graft Rejection/immunology
- Graft Rejection/pathology
- HLA-C Antigens/genetics
- HLA-C Antigens/immunology
- Humans
- Injections, Intraventricular
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/pathology
- Lymphopenia/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Sarcoma, Experimental/immunology
- Sarcoma, Experimental/pathology
- Sarcoma, Experimental/prevention & control
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Transfection
- Tumor Cells, Cultured/transplantation
- Weight Loss/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Walker
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Division of Oncology, and Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Murayama K, Kobayashi T, Imaizumi T, Matsunaga K, Kuramoto T, Shigemori M, Shichijo S, Itoh K. Expression of the SART3 tumor-rejection antigen in brain tumors and induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by its peptides. J Immunother 2000; 23:511-8. [PMID: 11001544 DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200009000-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The authors recently reported on the SART3 tumor-rejection antigen, which possesses epitopes that can induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in patients with epithelial cancer. To explore a new modality for treatment of patients with brain tumors, this study investigated the expression of the SART3 antigen in patients with brain tumors and the ability of SART3 peptides to induce CTLs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of these patients. The SART3 antigen was detected in the cytoplasmic fraction of all 18 glioma cell lines examined and in the majority (31 of 34; 91%) of brain tumor tissues irrespective of their histologies. It was also expressed in the nuclear fraction of all 18 glioma cell lines and in the majority (26 of 34; 76%) of brain tumor tissues. In contrast, the SART3 was not expressed in nontumorous brain tissues. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes were induced in patients with glioma by stimulation with two epitope peptides of SART3. These CTLs could eliminate glioma cells in a HLA-A24-restricted manner. Therefore, the SART3 peptides may be appropriate molecules for use in peptide-based specific immunotherapy of HLA-A24+ patients with brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Murayama
- Department of Immunology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
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36
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Kim TS, Chung SW, Hwang SY. Augmentation of antitumor immunity by genetically engineered fibroblast cells to express both B7.1 and interleukin-7. Vaccine 2000; 18:2886-94. [PMID: 10812232 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(00)00061-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Mouse fibroblasts (H-2(b)) were genetically engineered to express a costimulatory B7.1 and an interleukin-7 (IL-7; Fb/B7.1/IL7). The Fb/B7.1/IL7 cells were then pulsed with an ovalbumin (OVA) epitope (amino acids 257-264, SIINFEKL, H-2 K(b) restricted; Fb/B7. 1/IL7/OVA) and tested for the induction of OVA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in C57BL/6 mice (H-2(b)). The genetically engineered fibroblasts lacking either B7.1 or IL-7 were constructed and used as controls. Immunization with the Fb/B7.1/IL7/OVA cells induced strong cytotoxic activities against OVA-expressing EL4 (EG7) tumor cells. The magnitude of the cytotoxic response in mice with the Fb/B7.1/IL7/OVA cells was significantly higher than the response in mice immunized with any other cell constructs. CD8(+) T cells were a major effector cell-type of antitumor response in the immunized mice with the Fb/B7.1/IL7/OVA cells. Furthermore, immunization with the Fb/B7.1/IL7/OVA cells significantly prolonged the survival period of mice when the mice were injected with EG7 tumor cells one week after the immunization. These results suggest that fibroblasts can be genetically modified to an efficient cell vaccine for the induction of antitumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development, Chonnam National University, Kwangju, South Korea.
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37
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Imaizumi T, Kuramoto T, Matsunaga K, Shichijo S, Yutani S, Shigemori M, Oizumi K, Itoh K. Expression of the tumor-rejection antigen SART1 in brain tumors. Int J Cancer 1999; 83:760-4. [PMID: 10597192 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19991210)83:6<760::aid-ijc11>3.0.co;2-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We have reported a tumor-rejection antigen, SART1(259), possessing tumor epitopes capable of inducing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in epithelial-cancer patients. This study investigated the expression of SART1(259) antigen in brain tumors, to explore for a potential molecule for use in specific immunotherapy of patients with brain tumors. The SART1(259) antigen was detected in the cytosol fraction of 13 of 18 (72%) glioma cell lines and in 12 of 34 (35%) brain-tumor tissues, with a higher rate of expression among malignant gliomas (5/10, 50%) and schwannomas (3/4). HLA-A24-restricted and SART1-specific CTLs recognized the HLA-A24+ and SART1(259)+ glioma cells, and the levels of recognition correlated both with HLA-A24-antigen expression level and with the concentration of the SART1 peptide antigen. Therefore, the SART1(259) antigen could be a target molecule for specific immunotherapy of patients with brain tumors expressing HLA-class-1 antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Imaizumi
- Department of Immunology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
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38
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Aarnoudse CA, van den Doel PB, Heemskerk B, Schrier PI. Interleukin-2-induced, melanoma-specific T cells recognize CAMEL, an unexpected translation product of LAGE-1. Int J Cancer 1999; 82:442-8. [PMID: 10399963 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19990730)82:3<442::aid-ijc19>3.0.co;2-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were induced by in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a melanoma patient with autologous IL-2-producing melanoma 518/IL2.14 cells. CTL clone 1/29 recognized, in addition to autologous melanoma cell lines, a panel of HLA-A*0201-expressing allogeneic melanoma cell lines but was not reactive with normal melanocytes. Here, we report the full molecular characterization of the target structure for CTL 1/29, which was identified by cDNA expression cloning. The recognized antigen was named CAMEL (CTL-recognized antigen on melanoma). The CAMEL cDNA turned out to be derived from the LAGE-1 gene, a recently described tumor antigen that is strongly homologous to NY-ESO-1. CAMEL, however, is not encoded by the putative open reading frame (ORF) of LAGE-1 but by an alternative frame starting from the second ATG of the mRNA. The first 11 amino acids of the CAMEL protein, MLMAQEALAFL, constitute the epitope of CTL 1/29. This epitope is also encoded by a similar alternative ORF in NY-ESO-1. In summary, CTL induction with IL-2-transfected melanoma cells has revealed a new tumor antigen that may serve as a target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Aarnoudse
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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de Zoeten E, Carr-Brendel V, Markovic D, Taylor-Papadimitriou J, Cohen EP. Treatment of Breast Cancer with Fibroblasts Transfected with DNA from Breast Cancer Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 1999. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.162.11.6934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
This investigation was based on the hypothesis that weakly immunogenic, breast cancer-associated Ags, the products of mutant or dysregulated genes in the malignant cells, will be expressed in a highly immunogenic form by semiallogeneic IL-2-secreting fibroblasts transfected with DNA from breast cancer cells. (Classic studies indicate that transfection of genomic DNA can stably alter both the genotype and the phenotype of the cells that take up the exogenous DNA.) To investigate this question, we transfected LM mouse fibroblasts (H-2k) modified to secrete IL-2 with genomic DNA from a breast adenocarcinoma that arose spontaneously in a C3H/He mouse (H-2k). To increase their nonspecific immunogenic properties, the fibroblasts were also modified before transfection to express allogeneic MHC determinants (H-2Kb). Afterward, the IL-2-secreting semiallogeneic cells were cotransfected with DNA from the spontaneous breast neoplasm, along with a plasmid (pHyg) conferring resistance to hygromycin. Pooled colonies of hygromycin-resistant cells were then tested in C3H/He mice for their immunotherapeutic properties against the growth of the breast neoplasm. The results indicated that tumor-bearing mice immunized with the transfected cells survived significantly longer than mice in various control groups. Similar beneficial effects were seen in C57BL/6 mice injected with a syngeneic breast carcinoma cell line (EO771) and semiallogeneic, IL-2-secreting fibroblasts transfected with DNA from EO771 cells. The immunity was mediated by CD8+ T cells since immunized mice depleted of CD8+ cells failed to resist tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin de Zoeten
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612; and
| | - Victoria Carr-Brendel
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612; and
| | - Dubravka Markovic
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612; and
| | | | - Edward P. Cohen
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612; and
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40
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Kikuchi T, Joki T, Saitoh S, Hata Y, Abe T, Kato N, Kobayashi A, Miyazaki T, Ohno T. Anti-tumor activity of interleukin-2-producing tumor cells and recombinant interleukin 12 against mouse glioma cells located in the central nervous system. Int J Cancer 1999; 80:425-30. [PMID: 9935185 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19990129)80:3<425::aid-ijc15>3.0.co;2-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 12 (IL-12) exhibits anti-tumor activity in a variety of laboratory models. Although IL-12 itself activates strong anti-tumor activity, the combination of vaccine therapy with IL-2-transduced tumor cells and systemic rIL-12 has been shown to cure tumor-bearing mice more effectively than either rIL-12 or IL-2-transduced tumor vaccines alone. In the present study, regression of brain tumors established in naive mice was obtained by combined administration of an intratumoral injection of a single dose of IL-2-producing glioma cells (SR/IL-2 cells) and recombinant IL-12. Intraperitoneal rIL-12 administration substantially delayed the growth of s.c. inoculated gliomas, but not of gliomas located in the brain. Although vaccination with SR/IL-2 cells alone was not effective against s.c. inoculated gliomas, the combination therapy of vaccination with irradiated SR/IL-2 cells and systemic rIL-12 was more effective than rIL-12 alone. In our brain-tumor model, intratumoral administration of irradiated SR/IL-2 cells and of rIL-12 remarkably prolonged survival as compared with untreated mice. Efficacy was reduced when studies were performed in mice depleted of CD8+ cells or NK cells. Mice cured of their intracerebral tumors by combined administration of SR/IL-2 cells and rIL-12 demonstrated protective immunity upon rechallenge. In summary, the therapeutic potential for control of tumor growth by intratumoral administration of IL-2-producing glioma cells and rIL-12 may be useful in the development of treatment for patients with glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kikuchi
- Institute of DNA Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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41
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Geldhof AB, Van Ginderachter J, Vandersteen P, Raes G, De Baetselier P. Multiple effects of transfection with interleukin 2 and/or interferon gamma on the behavior of mouse T lymphoma cells. Clin Exp Metastasis 1998; 16:447-59. [PMID: 10091940 DOI: 10.1023/a:1006585525399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported that transfection of mouse interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in H-2Kk-positive BW variants (BW-Sp3) abolishes tumorigenicity and reduces metastatic capacity. To further increase the immunogenicity of BW-Sp3 cells, the gene for human interleukin 2 (huIL-2) was transfected in these cancer cells. Single BW-Sp3(huIL-2) and double BW-Sp3(huIL-2+IFN-gamma) transfectants were generated and their behavior was investigated as compared to parental and IFN-gamma-transfected BW-Sp3. Although expression of huIL-2 was equally effective as IFN-gamma in preventing tumor formation and reducing experimental metastasis, it did not confer protection to spontaneous metastases and even reversed the anti-metastatic activity of IFN-gamma. Inoculation of the BW variants in immunocompromised mice revealed that expression of IL-2 activates both T cells and aspecific immune effectors. However, in immunocompromised mice a clear pro-metastatic effect of IL-2 was recorded. Analysis of membrane antigens on the different variants showed a selective effect of huIL-2 on the expression of two surface antigens, i.e. L-selectin and metastatic T cell hybridoma antigen (MTH), which may contribute to metastasis. Hence upon expression of huIL-2 in T lymphoma variants, tumor outcome will depend on the balanced effects of the transfected cytokines on the immune response and the redirected effect on tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Geldhof
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, Free University of Brussels, Belgium
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Abstract
The enormous number of newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer that occur each year and the lack of agents that are highly effective for all patients underscore the need for novel approaches to combating the disease. Gene therapy as a developing treatment modality is already well established, with a number of trials ongoing and a vast range of other approaches being assessed in animal and cell culture experiments. In this brief review, we have discussed five gene therapy trials in colon carcinoma that are ongoing or in the approval process in the United States. The gene therapy approaches being employed can be divided into three major categories: (1) enzyme/prodrug systems (HSVtk/ganciclovir; CD/5-fluorocytosine); (2) tumor suppressor gene replacement therapy with wild-type p53; and (3) immune-gene therapy which is based on cytokine or tumor antigen expression to induce tumor immunity (e.g., CEA). Replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vectors are predominantly used for colon cancer gene therapy, because they can be produced at high titer and they readily infect a number of different cell types. One trial uses polynucleotide therapy for antitumor immunization with intramuscular injection. All of these studies are phase I trials, principally designed to evaluate safety, but they will also provide data on gene delivery. Some trials may provide some insight into potential therapeutic effects. We have alluded to some of the concerns on toxicity related to the use of adenovirus, risks and side effects from transgenes, lack of tumor-specificity of transgene expression, and potential problems with efficient gene delivery to solid tumors. The clinical trials, however, will provide insight that will inform design of future studies with respect to dose, form, and frequency of administration, as well as to the value of biologic and clinical endpoints. The molecular analysis of the fundamental basis of colon cancer has moved at a remarkable pace and that progress seems set to continue. Thus, the basic foundations for gene therapy are undoubtedly in place: a clinical need; growing understanding of basic tumor biology; and ever-improving delivery systems. The field is at a very early stage in its evolution, and one concern is that the considerable hurdles that must be overcome are seen as examples of the failure of cancer gene therapy; however, we believe these challenges will be overcome. The authors also believe that colon cancer gene therapy is likely to take new directions, such as use as adjuvant to radical surgery, rather than attempts to treat end-stage disease when the liver is replaced by metastases. Other new directions might include prophylactic gene-based immunization against a panel of well-characterized tumor antigens, at least for persons shown to be at high risk of colon cancer because of genetic or other predisposition. A marriage between gene therapy approaches and conventional anticancer treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy also seems likely. There is already evidence of this move with demonstration of synergism between p53 replacement and radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is also likely that therapies will be developed that combine elements from the cancer gene therapies discussed previously, namely, suicide gene transfer, immune modulation, and modulation of defective cancer genes. Perhaps one of the main concerns is not that researchers in cancer gene therapy want to walk before they can run, but that the public and government agencies believe they can. The next 10 years will be an interesting time in the development of novel treatments against colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Zwacka
- University of Edinburgh, Department of Surgery, Western General Hospital, United Kingdom
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Hösli P, Sappino AP, de Tribolet N, Dietrich PY. Malignant glioma: should chemotherapy be overthrown by experimental treatments? Ann Oncol 1998; 9:589-600. [PMID: 9681071 DOI: 10.1023/a:1008267312782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite more than two decades of clinical research with chemotherapy, the outcome of malignant gliomas remains poor. Recent years have seen major advances in elucidation of the biology of these tumors, which in turn have led to the current development of innovative therapeutic strategies. The question confronting us at the end of the 1990s is whether we should continue to use and investigate chemotherapy or whether the time has come for experimental treatments. As a contribution to this debate, we reviewed the abundant literature on chemotherapy of malignant glioma, paying special attention to methodological features. The new treatment approaches based on current knowledge about glioma biology are then briefly summarized. Assessment of more than 20 years of chemotherapy trials is discouraging despite a few areas of modest success. Only patients with specific histology (oligodendroglioma, anaplastic astrocytoma) and good prognostic factors (young age, good performance status) may benefit from chemotherapy, with a possible reversal of neurological dysfunction. However, the real impact on survival is small (anaplastic astrocytoma) or undefined (oligodendroglioma). Furthermore, it is unfortunately obvious that the outcome of glioblastoma patients is not significantly modified by chemotherapy. We believe the time has come to explore the potential of novel biological therapies in glioblastoma patients. This could also be proposed for anaplastic astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma patients after failure of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hösli
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
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de Zoeten EF, Carr-Brendel V, Cohen EP. Resistance to Melanoma in Mice Immunized with Semiallogeneic Fibroblasts Transfected with DNA from Mouse Melanoma Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 1998. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.160.6.2915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Tumor-associated Ags (TAA) that characterize a population of malignant cells are recognized by CTLs in the context of determinants specified by the MHC class I locus. Nevertheless, most progressively growing neoplasms do not induce antitumor immune responses that can control tumor cell growth. The TAA may be insufficiently antigenic. We found previously that immunization of mice with a cellular immunogen prepared by transfecting tumor DNA into allogeneic mouse fibroblasts resulted in strong antitumor immune responses that were specific for the type of tumor from which the DNA was obtained. Since the fibroblasts differed at the MHC from the immunized mice, we postulated that the immunogenic properties of the allogeneic transfected cells might be enhanced if the cells were modified to express syngeneic class I determinants. In a mouse melanoma model system, the H-2Kb gene was introduced into LM mouse fibroblasts (H-2k). Afterward, the cells were transfected with DNA from B16 melanoma cells (H-2b). The transfected cells were tested for their immunotherapeutic properties in C57BL/6J mice (H-2b) with melanoma. Mice with melanoma treated solely by immunization with the semiallogeneic transfected cells developed strong, long-term resistance to the growth of the tumor. In some instances, the mice survived indefinitely. Intact rather than disrupted transfected cells were required to induce the antimelanoma response, consistent with direct presentation of TAA by the transfected cells. The augmented resistance to melanoma in mice treated with the semiallogeneic transfected cells points toward an analogous form of therapy for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin F. de Zoeten
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Victoria Carr-Brendel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Edward P. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
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46
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Schrell UM, Koch HU, Marschalek R, Schrauzer T, Anders M, Adams E, Fahlbusch R. Formation of autocrine loops in human cerebral meningioma tissue by leukemia inhibitor factor, interleukin-6, and oncostatin M: inhibition of meningioma cell growth in vitro by recombinant oncostatin M. J Neurosurg 1998; 88:541-8. [PMID: 9488310 DOI: 10.3171/jns.1998.88.3.0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECT It has been demonstrated that growth of cerebral meningiomas found in humans is controlled by a variety of factors, including growth factors, aminergic agents, neuropeptides, and steroids. To further our knowledge of this process, the authors investigated the presence and function of the cytokines leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and oncostatin M (OSM) on meningioma cell proliferation. METHODS Active transcription of LIF, IL-6, and OSM, their related receptors (LIF-R, IL-6-R, and gp130), and the consecutive signal-transducing molecules (STAT 1, STAT 3, and STAT 5a) were analyzed in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments. The presence of endogenous LIF, IL-6, and OSM proteins was demonstrated in the supernatant of cultured meningioma cells using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot experiments, thus indicating an autocrine signaling pathway for all three cytokines. The biological function of all three cytokines was evaluated by studying their effects on meningioma cell growth. Recombinant LIF and IL-6 showed no significant growth modulating effects; however, recombinant OSM decreased meningioma cell growth by 66%. The antiproliferative potency of OSM was demonstrated by cell count experiments, the [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, and cell cycle analysis. CONCLUSIONS These in vitro data support the concept that growth of meningioma cells may be modulated by cytokines, and they also indicate that recombinant OSM may be one future candidate for use in the adjuvant treatment of inoperable and recurrent meningiomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- U M Schrell
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Dietrich PY, de Tribolet N. Brain tumors: the time has come to amplify research. Neurosurg Focus 1997. [DOI: 10.3171/foc.1997.3.5.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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49
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Hsieh CL, Pang VF, Chen DS, Hwang LH. Regression of established mouse leukemia by GM-CSF-transduced tumor vaccine: implications for cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and tumor burdens. Hum Gene Ther 1997; 8:1843-54. [PMID: 9382951 DOI: 10.1089/hum.1997.8.16-1843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the therapeutic effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on a mouse leukemia model. By using a retroviral vector, mouse GM-CSF cDNA was transduced into a highly tumorigenic T leukemia cell line, RL male 1. Injection of GM-CSF-secreting RL male 1 cells into syngeneic BALB/c mice elicited protective immunity in the animals, which could regress preestablished tumors introduced either by a subcutaneous or in an intravenous route. However, the therapeutic effects were less prominent in the mice inoculated with a large tumor load or in mice treated later. Winn tests further demonstrated that the splenocytes from the late-treated group conferred poorer protective effects in terms of reducing the growth of parental RL male 1 cells in naive mice than the splenocytes from the early-treated group. Nonetheless, upon stimulation in vitro, the activity of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was comparable in the splenocytes of both groups of mice. Histological analysis also indicated that the CD8+ T cells appeared as early as 3 days following vaccination at the vaccine sites and at the tumor sites in both groups of mice. Above observations implied that the T cells in the animals bearing large tumors appeared to be in a state of suppression or anergy. Systematic histological analyses for 2 weeks provided further insight into various infiltrates at the vaccine sites and at the tumor sites in response to the inoculation of GM-CSF-secreting tumor vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei
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Dietrich PY, Walker PR, Saas P, de Tribolet N. Immunobiology of gliomas: new perspectives for therapy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1997; 824:124-40. [PMID: 9382437 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb46215.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P Y Dietrich
- Division of Oncology, Hôpital Universitaire de Genève, Switzerland
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