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Reza S, Ugorski M, Suchański J. Glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide, small glycosphingolipids with significant impact on health and disease. Glycobiology 2021; 31:1416-1434. [PMID: 34080016 PMCID: PMC8684486 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous clinical observations and exploitation of cellular and animal models indicate that glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer) are involved in many physiological and pathological phenomena. In many cases, the biological importance of these monohexosylcermides has been shown indirectly as the result of studies on enzymes involved in their synthesis and degradation. Under physiological conditions, GalCer plays a key role in the maintenance of proper structure and stability of myelin and differentiation of oligodendrocytes. On the other hand, GlcCer is necessary for the proper functions of epidermis. Such an important lysosomal storage disease as Gaucher disease (GD) and a neurodegenerative disorder as Parkinson’s disease are characterized by mutations in the GBA1 gene, decreased activity of lysosomal GBA1 glucosylceramidase and accumulation of GlcCer. In contrast, another lysosomal disease, Krabbe disease, is associated with mutations in the GALC gene, resulting in deficiency or decreased activity of lysosomal galactosylceramidase and accumulation of GalCer and galactosylsphingosine. Little is known about the role of both monohexosylceramides in tumor progression; however, numerous studies indicate that GlcCer and GalCer play important roles in the development of multidrug-resistance by cancer cells. It was shown that GlcCer is able to provoke immune reaction and acts as a self-antigen in GD. On the other hand, GalCer was recognized as an important cellular receptor for HIV-1. Altogether, these two molecules are excellent examples of how slight differences in chemical composition and molecular conformation contribute to profound differences in their physicochemical properties and biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Reza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Ugorski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Suchański
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
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Liang X, Wang R, Dou W, Zhao L, Zhou L, Zhu J, Wang K, Yan J. Arminin 1a-C, a novel antimicrobial peptide from ancient metazoan Hydra, shows potent antileukemia activity against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant leukemia cells. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:3691-3703. [PMID: 30464401 PMCID: PMC6217004 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s181188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Due to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), traditional antileukemia drugs no longer meet the treatment needs. Therefore, new antileukemia drugs with different action mechanisms are urgently needed to cope with this situation. Materials and methods Arminin 1a-C is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) developed from the ancient metazoan marine Hydra. In this study, we first explored its antileukemia activity. Results Our results showed that Arminin 1a-C formed an α-helical structure and efficaciously suppressed the viability of leukemia cell lines whether or not they were multidrug resistant or sensitive, and there were no obvious differences between these cell lines. Arminin 1a-C exhibited distinct selectivity between noncancerous and cancerous cell lines. Arminin 1a-C interfered with K562/adriamycin (ADM) cell (a kind of multidrug-resistant leukemia cell line) proliferation in a very rapid manner and formed pores in its cell membrane, making it difficult to develop resistance against Arminin 1a-C. Conclusion Our data show that Arminin 1a-C possesses great potential as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of multidrug-resistant leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Liang
- The Reproductive Medicine Special Hospital of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruirui Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenshan Dou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Li Zhao
- The Key Laboratory, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,
| | - Lanxia Zhou
- The Key Laboratory, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,
| | - Junfang Zhu
- The Key Laboratory, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,
| | - Kairong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiexi Yan
- The Key Laboratory, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,
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Migotto A, Carvalho VFM, Salata GC, da Silva FWM, Yan CYI, Ishida K, Costa-Lotufo LV, Steiner AA, Lopes LB. Multifunctional nanoemulsions for intraductal delivery as a new platform for local treatment of breast cancer. Drug Deliv 2018; 25:654-667. [PMID: 29495885 PMCID: PMC7011997 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2018.1440665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that breast cancer usually begins in the lining of the ducts, local drug administration into the ducts could target cancers and pre-tumor lesions locally while reducing systemic adverse effects. In this study, a cationic bioadhesive nanoemulsion was developed for intraductal administration of C6 ceramide, a sphingolipid that mediates apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death. Bioadhesive properties were obtained by surface modification with chitosan. The optimized nanoemulsion displayed size of 46.3 nm and positive charge, properties that were not affected by ceramide encapsulation (0.4%, w/w). C6 ceramide concentration necessary to reduce MCF-7 cells viability to 50% (EC50) decreased by 4.5-fold with its nanoencapsulation compared to its solution; a further decrease (2.6-fold) was observed when tributyrin (a pro-drug of butyric acid) was part of the oil phase of the nanocarrier, a phenomenon attributed to synergism. The unloaded nanocarrier was considered safe, as indicated by a score <0.1 in HET-CAM models, by the high survival rates of Galleria mellonella larvae exposed to concentrations ≤500 mg/mL, and absence of histological changes when intraductally administered in rats. Intraductal administration of the nanoemulsion prolonged drug localization for more than 120 h in the mammary tissue compared to its solution. These results support the advantage of the optimized nanoemulsion to enable mammary tissue localization of C6 ceramide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Migotto
- a Department of Pharmacology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Vanessa F M Carvalho
- a Department of Pharmacology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Giovanna C Salata
- a Department of Pharmacology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Fernanda W M da Silva
- b Department of Microbiology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Chao Yun Irene Yan
- c Department of Cell and Developmental Biology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Kelly Ishida
- b Department of Microbiology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Leticia V Costa-Lotufo
- a Department of Pharmacology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Alexandre A Steiner
- d Department of Immunology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Luciana B Lopes
- a Department of Pharmacology , Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
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Palma CD, Perrotta C. Ceramide as a target of chemotherapy: its role in apoptosis and autophagy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/clp.11.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Abstract
Evidence has consistently indicated that activation of sphingomyelinases and/or ceramide synthases and the resulting accumulation of ceramide mediate cellular responses to stressors such as lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, serum deprivation, irradiation and various antitumor treatments. Recent studies had identified the genes encoding most of the enzymes responsible for the generation of ceramide and ongoing research is aimed at characterizing their individual functions in cellular response to stress. This chapter discusses the seminal and more recent discoveries in regards to the pathways responsible for the accumulation of ceramide during stress and the mechanisms by which ceramide affects cell functions. The former group includes the roles of neutral sphingomyelinase 2, serine palmitoyltransferase, ceramide synthases, as well as the secretory and endosomal/lysosomal forms of acid sphingomyelinase. The latter summarizes the mechanisms by which ceramide activate its direct targets, PKCzeta, PP2A and cathepsin D. The ability of ceramide to affect membrane organization is discussed in the light of its relevance to cell signaling. Emerging evidence to support the previously assumed notion that ceramide acts in a strictly structure-specific manner are also included. These findings are described in the context of several physiological and pathophysiological conditions, namely septic shock, obesity-induced insulin resistance, aging and apoptosis of tumor cells in response to radiation and chemotherapy.
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Bavaro SL, Kanduc D. Pentapeptide commonality between Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxin and the Homo sapiens proteome. Immunotherapy 2010; 3:49-58. [PMID: 21174557 DOI: 10.2217/imt.10.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-reactivity may affect diagnostic tests and cause harmful autoimmune reactions following immunotherapy. To predict potential cross-reactivity and search for safe immunotherapeutic approaches, we analyzed sequence identity between microbial antigens and the human proteome. Using diphtheria toxin (DT) as a model, we examined its patterns of identity with human proteins at the pentapeptide level. DT shares 503 pentapeptides with the human proteome, while only 31 pentapeptides are unique to the toxin. DT pentapeptide identity involves multiple/repeated matches in human proteins (a total of 4966 occurrences). Human proteins containing bacterial peptide matches include antigens linked to fundamental cellular functions, such as cell cycle control, proliferation, development and differentiation. The data presented in this article offer a rational basis for designing peptide-based vaccines that specifically target DT and thus eliminate the potential risk of cross-reactivity with human proteins. More generally, this study proposes a methodological approach for avoiding cross-reactivity in immune reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Lucia Bavaro
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Bari 70126, Italy
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Rath G, Schneider C, Langlois B, Sartelet H, Morjani H, Btaouri HEL, Dedieu S, Martiny L. De novo ceramide synthesis is responsible for the anti-tumor properties of camptothecin and doxorubicin in follicular thyroid carcinoma. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2008; 41:1165-72. [PMID: 19027085 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2008.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2008] [Revised: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 10/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Doxorubicin and camptothecin are two cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents triggering apoptosis in various cancer cells, including thyroid carcinoma cells. Recent studies revealed a critical role of ceramide in chemotherapy and suggested that anti-cancer drugs may kill tumor cells through sphingomyelinase activation. However, in comparison to sphingomyelin hydrolysis, the relative involvement of de novo ceramide synthesis remained poorly explored and highly controversial. Here, we evidenced that both doxorubicin and camptothecin triggered ceramide accumulation in thyroid carcinoma cells. We demonstrated that ceramide increase occurred via the de novo pathway without neither acidic nor neutral sphingomyelinase contribution. Interestingly, de novo ceramide generation was responsible for the drug-induced malignant cell apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway and a decrease of thrombospondin amount. Furthermore, blocking ceramide metabolism by inhibiting glucosylceramide synthase strengthened the camptothecin and doxorubicin-dependent effects. Altogether, we evidenced that de novo ceramide synthesis mediates the anti-tumor properties of doxorubicin and camptothecin in thyroid carcinoma and suggested that glucosylation of ceramide may contribute to the drug-resistance phenotype in thyroid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Rath
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire SiRMa, CNRS UMR MEDyC 6237, Faculté des Sciences, Reims, France.
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Ricci C, Onida F, Ghidoni R. Sphingolipid players in the leukemia arena. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2006; 1758:2121-32. [PMID: 16904628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2006.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2005] [Revised: 06/12/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids function as bioactive mediators of different cellular processes, mostly proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis, besides being structural components of cellular membranes. Involvement of sphingolipid metabolism in cancerogenesis was demonstrated in solid tumors as well as in hematological malignancies. Herein, we describe the main biological and clinical aspects of leukemias and summarize data regarding sphingolipids as mediators of apoptosis triggered in response to anti-leukemic agents and synthetic analogs as inducers of cell death as well. We also report the contribution of molecules that modulate sphingolipid metabolism to development of encouraging strategies for leukemia treatment. Finally we address how deregulation of sphingolipid metabolism is associated to occurrence of therapy resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Sphingolipids can be considered promising therapeutic tools alone or in combination with other compounds, as well as valid targets in the attempt to eradicate leukemia and overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ricci
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, San Paolo University Hospital, Medical School, University of Milan, 20142 via A. di Rudinì, 8-Milan, Italy
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Granot T, Milhas D, Carpentier S, Dagan A, Ségui B, Gatt S, Levade T. Caspase-dependent and -independent cell death of Jurkat human leukemia cells induced by novel synthetic ceramide analogs. Leukemia 2006; 20:392-9. [PMID: 16397504 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2404084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ceramide metabolism has emerged as a potential target for anticancer therapy. Here, the potential usefulness of two novel synthetic ceramide analogs as anti-leukemic drugs was investigated. Compounds AD2646 and AD2687 were able to dose-and time-dependently decrease the viability of Jurkat leukemic cells. This was accompanied by an accumulation of endogenous ceramide owing to perturbed ceramide metabolism. Cytotoxicity involved caspase activation but also necrotic-like features, as evidenced by phosphatidylserine externalization, membrane permeability, hypodiploidy, caspase processing and only partial protection from cell death by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Ceramide analogs also induced cell death in Jurkat mutants that are deficient in cell death signaling proteins, including FADD, caspase-8 and 10, and RIP. While overexpression of Bcl-xL did not suppress ceramide accumulation, it conferred robust protection from caspase activation and cell death. Altogether, these novel ceramide analogs are able to kill leukemic cells through distinct pathways implicating caspase activation and mitochondrial events, and represent a new group of bioactive molecules with potential applications in anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Granot
- Department of Biochemistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
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Andersson Y, Juell S, Fodstad Ø. Downregulation of the antiapoptotic MCL-1 protein and apoptosis in MA-11 breast cancer cells induced by an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor-Pseudomonas exotoxin a immunotoxin. Int J Cancer 2004; 112:475-83. [PMID: 15382075 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.20371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE)-containing immunotoxins (ITs) act by arresting protein synthesis and promoting apoptosis, but the mechanisms of the induced apoptosis and the relationship to protein synthesis inhibition is not well elucidated. We studied these effects in MA-11 human breast cancer cells treated with 425.3PE, an unmodified PE covalently linked to the 425.3 antibody, which targets the EGF receptor. This IT induced efficient inhibition of protein synthesis with simultaneous induction of apoptosis. Thus, treatment of cells with 10 ng/ml of IT for 5 hr caused 85% inhibition of protein synthesis in parallel with caspase-3, -8 and -9 activation and PARP inactivation. Even after 72 hr of IT treatment, preincubation with the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK caused a significant increase in cell survival without affecting IT-induced protein synthesis inhibition. Interestingly, a combination of z-VAD-FMK and the cathepsin B/L inhibitor z-FA-FMK prevented completely IT-induced cell death in MA-11 cells after 24 hr, indicating that cathepsin activation may be important for optimal induction of IT-induced cell death. IT treatment caused after 2.5 hr a significant decrease in the level of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 but not of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. Furthermore, Mcl-1 expression was not sensitive to caspase inhibitors but was totally prevented by the lactacystin proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that IT-induced apoptosis may be triggered by a reduction in the Mcl-1 level. Mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi mito) decreased concurrently with caspase activation, showing the involvement of DeltaPsi mito as a regulator of IT-induced apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that 425.3PE-mediated cell death involves simultaneous induction of apoptosis and protein synthesis inhibition in MA-11 cells, thus contributing to an understanding of the mechanisms involved in IT-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Andersson
- Department of Tumor Biology and Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Carton JM, Uhlinger DJ, Batheja AD, Derian C, Ho G, Argenteri D, D'Andrea MR. Enhanced serine palmitoyltransferase expression in proliferating fibroblasts, transformed cell lines, and human tumors. J Histochem Cytochem 2003; 51:715-26. [PMID: 12754283 DOI: 10.1177/002215540305100603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic processes, including cell invasion, extracellular matrix degradation, and tissue remodeling, require cellular reorganization and proliferation. The cell signaling molecules required and the proteins involved in cell restructuring have not been completely elucidated. We have been studying the role of sphingolipids in normal cell activity and in several pathophysiological states. In this study we used immunohistochemistry to observe the presence of the two known subunits of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) in proliferating cells, in an in vitro model of wound repair, and in human malignant tissue. We report increased expression of the two subunits, SPT1 and SPT2, in the proliferating cells in these models. We also demonstrate a change in subcellular localization of the SPT subunits from predominantly cytosolic in quiescent cells to nuclear in proliferating cells. In addition, we observed SPT1 and SPT2 immunoreactivity in reactive stromal fibroblasts surrounding the carcinoma cells of some of the tumors. This enhanced SPT expression was absent in the stromal fibroblasts surrounding normal epithelial cells. Our results suggest a potential role for overexpression of SPT in the processes of cell metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Carton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centocor, Inc., Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with malignant disease have led to increasingly successful use of these methods in the clinical setting. This review presents findings from recent studies that have explored improved methods for the presentation of tumor-associated antigens and for the restoration of tumor specific immune responses using cytokine therapy. METHODS A review of human clinical trial research on immune cytokines from 1995 (MEDLINE) to the present was conducted. Particular attention was focused on articles that reported results from Phase II or later clinical studies in patients with malignant disease. RESULTS The defects in cellular immunity commonly seen in patients with malignancies often are expressed as tumor specific anergy. Reversing patient tolerance to tumor antigens may be accomplished by treatment with immunoregulatory cytokines, such as Flt-3 and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor, that mature and activate dendritic cells. Published clinical studies indicate that granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor stimulates antigen-presenting cells and has promising antitumor activity as an adjunct or as stand-alone therapy for patients with malignant disease, including leukemia, melanoma, breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Immune-modulating cytokines may be used alone or in combination with other treatments to help restore immune function, improve response to tumor-associated antigens, and reduce the toxic effects of standard antitumor therapies. The evolving understanding of how dendritic cells regulate immune responses and promising results from published studies of immune-enhancing cytokines in the treatment of patients with malignant disease support the conduct of randomized clinical trials to confirm the clinical benefit of these immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund K Waller
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Estey
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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