Long-Term Cardiac Safety and Survival Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Elderly Patients or Prone to Cardiotoxicity and Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Final Results of the Multicentre Phase II CAPRICE Study

Background

The CAPRICE trial was designed to specifically evaluate neoadjuvant pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in elderly patients or in those with other cardiovascular risk factors in whom conventional doxorubicin was contraindicated. The primary analysis of the study showed a pathological complete response (pCR) of 32% and no significant decreases in LVEF during chemotherapy. Here, we report important secondary study objectives: 5-year cardiac safety, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and breast cancer specific survival (BCSS).

Methods

In this multicentre, single-arm, phase II trial, elderly patients or those prone to cardiotoxicity and high risk stage II-IIIB breast cancer received PLD (35 mg/m²) plus cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m²) every 4 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by paclitaxel for 12 weeks as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) monitorization, electrocardiograms and cardiac questionnaires were performed at baseline, during treatment and at 9, 16, 28 and 40 weeks thereafter. The primary endpoint was pCR and 5-year cardiac safety, DFS, BCSS and OS were also analyzed.

Results

Between Oct 2007, and Jun 2010, 50 eligible patients were included. Median age was 73 (35-84) years, 84% were older than 65; 64% of patients suffered from hypertension, and 10% had prior cardiac disease. Most of tumors (88%) were triple negative. No significant decreases in LVEF were observed. The mean baseline LVEF was 66.6% (52-86) and after a median follow-up of 5 years, mean LVEF was 66 (54.5-73). For intention to treat population, 5-year DFS was 50% (95% CI 40.2-68.1) and 5-year OS was 56% (95%CI 41.2-68.4). There were 8 non-cancer related deaths, achieving a 5 years BCSS of 67.74% (CI 95%:54.31%- 81.18%).

Conclusion

At 5-year follow-up, this PLD-based NAC regimen continued to be cardiac-safe and effective in a population of very high-risk breast cancer patients. This scheme should be considered as an option in elderly patients or in those with other risks of developing cardiotoxicity.

Trial Registration Number

ClinicalTrials.gov reference NCT00563953.

IL15 synergizes with radiotherapy to reprogram the tumor immune contexture through a dendritic cell connection

IL15 is a key cytokine for the activation and survival of anti-tumor effectors CD8⁺ T and NK cells. Recently published preclinical studies demonstrate that the therapeutic activity of IL15 requires conventional dendritic cells type 1 (cDC1). Radiotherapy cooperates with IL15 by enhancing cDC1 tumor infiltration via interferon type 1 activation.

Radiotherapy Cooperates with IL15 to Induce Antitumor Immune Responses

Focal radiotherapy can promote cross-presentation of tumor antigens to T cells, but by itself, it is insufficient to induce therapeutically effective T-cell responses. The common gamma-chain cytokine IL15 promotes and sustains the proliferation and effector function of CD8⁺ T cells but has limited activity against poorly immunogenic tumors that do not elicit significant spontaneous T-cell responses. Here, we show that radiotherapy and subcutaneous IL15 had complementary effects and induced CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated tumor regression and long-term protective memory responses in two mouse carcinoma models unresponsive to IL15 alone. Mechanistically, radiotherapy-induced IFN type I production and Batf3-dependent conventional dendritic cells type 1 (cDC1) were required for priming of tumor-specific CD8⁺ T cells and for the therapeutic effect of the combination. IL15 cooperated with radiotherapy to activate and recruit cDC1s to the tumor. IL15 alone and in complex with a hybrid molecule containing the IL15α receptor have been tested in early-phase clinical trials in patients with cancer and demonstrated good tolerability, especially when given subcutaneously. Expansion of natural killer (NK) cells and CD8⁺ T cells was noted, without clear clinical activity, suggesting further testing of IL15 as a component of a combinatorial treatment with other agents. Our results provide the rationale for testing combinations of IL15 with radiotherapy in the clinic.

Graft vs. host disease leads to elimination of tissue-resident innate lymphoid cells following experimental and clinical allogeneic transplantation

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are associated with protective mucosal responses after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). However, the specific in vivo roles of ILCs after BMT remain unclear. We thus sought to characterize the kinetics and significance of ILC reconstitution after allo-BMT.

In a sex-mismatched acute graft-vs-host-disease (GVHD) model, depletion of recipient ILCs induced significantly worse systemic signs of GVHD, as well as increased thymic injury and intestinal pathology, indicating a contributory role for ILCs in tissue protection post-BMT.

Analysis of ILCs in distinct GVHD target organs after T-cell-depleted BMT demonstrated a high frequency of NK cells and ILC1s in the liver, a higher proportion of ILC2s in lungs, and a higher proportion of ILC3s in the small intestine post-transplant in the absence of GVHD. For all tissues analyzed, the majority of ILCs were host-derived. In contrast, in the presence of GVHD, all ILC subsets were significantly reduced in all tissues analyzed. Furthermore, ILC precursors were significantly reduced in the bone marrow of mice with GVHD, suggesting that alloreactive immunity can impair ILC reconstitution by targeting both mature ILCs and their developmental niche.

To examine the clinical relevance of these findings, human ILCs were analyzed by FACS of lamina propria lymphocytes isolated from patient duodenal biopsy specimens obtained to evaluate symptoms of acute GI GVHD. Consistent with experimental findings, duodenal ILC frequencies were significantly lower in patients with histologic evidence of GVHD.

In conclusion, tissue-resident ILCs contribute to tissue protection after allo-BMT, but GVHD leads to ILC elimination and impairs their reconstitution.

Angiogenic role of miR-20a in breast cancer

Background

Angiogenesis is a key process for tumor progression and a target for treatment. However, the regulation of breast cancer angiogenesis and its relevance for clinical resistance to antiangiogenic drugs is still incompletely understood. Recent developments on the contribution of microRNA to tumor angiogenesis and on the oncogenic effects of miR-17-92, a miRNA cluster, point to their potential role on breast cancer angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to establish the contribution of miR-20a, a member of miR-17-92 cluster, to tumor angiogenesis in patients with invasive breast carcinoma.

Methods

Tube-formation in vitro assays with conditioned medium from MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines were performed after transfection with miR-20a and anti-miR20a. For clinical validation of the experimental findings, we performed a retrospective analysis of a series of consecutive breast cancer patients (n = 108) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and with a full characterization of their vessel pattern and expression of angiogenic markers in pre-treatment biopsies. Expression of members of the cluster miR-17-92 and of angiogenic markers was determined by RT-qPCR after RNA purification from FFPE samples.

Results

In vitro angiogenesis assays with endothelial cells and conditioned media from breast cancer cell lines showed that transfection with anti-miR20a in MDA-MB-231 significantly decreased mean mesh size and total mesh area, while transfection with miR-20a in MCF7 cells increased mean mesh size. MiR-20a angiogenic effects were abrogated by treatment with aflibercept, a VEGF trap. These results were supported by clinical data showing that mir-20a expression was higher in tumors with no estrogen receptor or with more extensive nodal involvement (cN2-3). A higher miR-20a expression was associated with higher mean vessel size (p = 0.015) and with an angiogenic pattern consisting in larger vessels, higher VEGFA expression and presence of glomeruloid microvascular proliferations (p<0.001). This association was independent of tumor subtype and VEGFA expression.

Conclusions

Transfection of breast cancer cells with miR-20a induces vascular changes in endothelial tube-formation assays. Expression of miR-20a in breast invasive carcinomas is associated with a distinctive angiogenic pattern consisting in large vessels, anomalous glomeruloid microvascular proliferations and high VEGFA expression. Our results suggest a role for miR-20a in the regulation of breast cancer angiogenesis, and raise the possibility of its use as an angiogenic biomarker.

The clinical, biochemical and genetic features associated with RMND1-related mitochondrial disease

Background

Mutations in the RMND1 (Required for Meiotic Nuclear Division protein 1) gene have recently been linked to infantile onset mitochondrial disease characterised by multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain defects.

Methods

We summarised the clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic investigation of an international cohort of affected individuals with RMND1 mutations. In addition, we reviewed all the previously published cases to determine the genotype–phenotype correlates and performed survival analysis to identify prognostic factors.

Results

We identified 14 new cases from 11 pedigrees that harbour recessive RMND1 mutations, including 6 novel variants: c.533C>A, p.(Thr178Lys); c.565C>T, p.(Gln189*); c.631G>A, p.(Val211Met); c.1303C>T, p.(Leu435Phe); c.830+1G>A and c.1317+1G>T. Together with all previously published cases (n=32), we show that congenital sensorineural deafness, hypotonia, developmental delay and lactic acidaemia are common clinical manifestations with disease onset under 2 years. Renal involvement is more prevalent than seizures (66% vs 44%). In addition, median survival time was longer in patients with renal involvement compared with those without renal disease (6 years vs 8 months, p=0.009). The neurological phenotype also appears milder in patients with renal involvement.

Conclusions

The clinical phenotypes and prognosis associated with RMND1 mutations are more heterogeneous than that were initially described. Regular monitoring of kidney function is imperative in the clinical practice in light of nephropathy being present in over 60% of cases. Furthermore, renal replacement therapy should be considered particularly in those patients with mild neurological manifestation as shown in our study that four recipients of kidney transplant demonstrate good clinical outcome to date.

Abstract P3-14-15: Nabrax: Neoadjuvant therapy of breast cancer with weekly nab-paclitaxel: Final safety of GEICAM 2011-02

Aims: nab-paclitaxel is an innovative chemotherapy that consists of nano-particles of human serum albumin bound paclitaxel. It exploits the role of albumin as the natural carrier of hydrophobic molecules in human to increase paclitaxel delivery to tumor cells. Weekly nab-paclitaxel showed a superior efficacy compared to every 3-weeks docetaxel in a randomized phase II study in metastatic breast cancer (Gradishar JCO 2009, Clin. Breast Cancer 2012). This single arm phase II trial has been designed to evaluate the activity and safety of weekly nab-paclitaxel as neoadjuvant treatment of early stage breast cancer patients with positive estrogen receptors and negative HER2.

Methods: Stage II-III patients were included and treated with nab-paclitaxel weekly at a dose of 150 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks for 4 cycles. Following chemotherapy, patients undergo surgery and adjuvant therapy (with radiation, chemo and endocrine therapy) under the investigator criteria. The primary objective is to determine the residual cancer burden class III as measured by the Symmans criteria (JCO 25:4422,2007). Secondary objectives include pathological complete response, overall response, invasive disease free survival, safety and potential correlative biomarkers.

Results: Eighty-three patients have been recruited in the study in 13 Spanish institutions. Here we report safety data from 77 patients. Median age was 48 years, 62% were postmenopausal and 94% had ECOG PS 0; most patients were stage II (23% IIa and 36% IIb). A total of 259 cycles have been administered to date; 47 patients completed 4 cycles as planned, 5 patients discontinued treatment early (due to grade 2-3 sensory neuropathy in 4 patients), the remaining patients are still under treatment. The treatment was delayed in 8.1% of patients; nab-paclitaxel doses were omitted and reduced in 3.9% and 9.7% of cycles respectively, for a relative dose intensity of nab-paclitaxel of 97.3%. The most frequent reasons for dose modifications were neutropenia (5.4%) and neuropathy (2.7%). The main grade 2/3 adverse events are described in table 1.

Table 1Related adverse events.Per patient (N = 74)Per Cycle (N = 259)NCI-CTCAE vs 4.0. (&gt;5% grade 2-4)Grade 2, N (%)Grade 3, N (%)Grade 2, N (%)Grade 3, N (%)Leukopenia6 (8.1)1 (1.4)11 (4.2)1 (0.4)Neutropenia17(23)7 (9.5)30 (11.6)9 (3.5)Alopecia47(63.5)—121 (46.7)—Fatigue11 (14.9)2 (2.7)17 (6.6)2 (0.8)Neuropathy: Sensory17 (23)2 (2.7)25(9.6)5 (1.9)Musculoskeletal Pain11 (14.9)0 (0)13 (5.0)0 (0)

Conclusions: Neoadjuvant therapy with weekly nab-paclitaxel at dose of 150 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks was well tolerated. Final safety data for the entire treated patients will be mature and presented at the meeting.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-14-15.

Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMP) modifications as predictive biomarkers of resistance to chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC)

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Background: Growing evidence indicates that EMP may both modulate angiogenesis and endothelial injury in cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, it has not been shown whether in vivo release of EMP might reflect the tumor response or the antiangiogenic effects of chemotherapy (CT). The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of small-size EMP (sEMP) and resistance to CT in locally advanced and metastatic BC. Methods: Citrated platelet-free plasma was obtained from BC patients before and after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy. Small-size CD144+ sEMP (0.1-0.5 μm diameter) were prospectively quantified using a high resolution Apogee A50 flow cytometer. Association of EMP with clinical variables, response to CT and survival was analyzed. Response (partial or complete) was defined by RECIST criteria. Results: 45 BC patients were included (20, metastatic; 25, locally advanced). Treatment included anthracyclines in 66.7% of patients and taxanes in 15.5%. Small-size EMP baseline counts were higher in premenopausal women (p=0.008), but no association with other clinical or pathological characteristic was found. A significant decrease of circulating sEMP was observed after treatment with CT in the whole group of patients with paired samples available (n=33): pre-CT: 416.2 ± 365 vs. post-CT: 340.7 ± 458 (p=0.005). Lower chemotherapy-induced sEMP decrease was associated to treatment resistance: ROC analysis demonstrated a 66.7% sensitivity and 72.2% specificity of lower sEMP decrease for lack of response to CT using a decline cut-point of -40 sEMP (close to median decrease: -47). With the same cut-point of low sEMP decrease, odds ratio for treatment resistance was 5.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.17-23.04; p=0.03). No clear association of the degree of sEMP decrease was found for disease or progression free survival in the neoadjuvant or in the metastatic setting. Conclusions: This study suggests that circulating sEMP decrease after CT and are tightly associated with treatment resistance in BC patients. These findings indicate pathophysiological roles for sEMP in BC and support their potential role as treatment resistance biomarkers.

Predictive value of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for response to breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT)

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Background: The association of tumor microenvironment immune response with outcome after breast cancer (BC) NCT has been suggested by several studies. However, the relevance of each TIL subpopulation is still controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of TIL before and after NCT in patients with BC. Methods: We analyzed TIL and CD68 cells in pre- and post-chemotherapy biopsies of BC patients treated with NCT (80.4% sequential AC-docetaxel). A tissue microarray with paired pre- and post-NCT biopsies was built, and stained with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, FOXP3 and CD68. Morphometric analysis (TIL count/mm2) was performed after slide scanning and digitalization. Results: We included 121 consecutive patients with invasive BC, most of them with stages IIB (28%) or IIIA-C (56.4%). IHC phenotype: 50.4% Her2- hormone-sensitive (HS), 13.2% Her2+ HS, 10.7% Her2+ non-HS, and 21.5% triple negative. Pathologic complete response (pCR): 17.4%. Median overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) has not been reached (median follow-up: 60 months). Higher than median pre-NCT TIL infiltration was predictive of pCR to NCT: CD3 > 172/mm2 (p=0.001; Hazard Ratio [HR]: 9,61, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.49–37.02); CD4 > 67/mm2 (p=0.001; HR: 8.82, 95%CI 2.43–31.96); CD20 > 42/mm2 (p=0.001; HR: 8.71, 95%CI 2.31–32.74). Logistic regression multivariate models including grade and IHC phenotype confirmed the independent predictive value of higher pre-NCT CD3, CD4, and CD20 for pCR. In the group of patients with HS Her2- BC without pCR (n=44), higher infiltration (cut-point: median value) by some TIL subpopulations and by CD68 cells in post-NCT residual tumor associated to lower DFS: CD8 > 37/mm2 (log-rank; p=0.04), CD20 > 14/mm2 (p=0.07) and CD68> 39/mm2 (p=0.06). Conclusions: Higher pre-treatment CD3, CD4 and CD20 TIL predicted pRC in patients with invasive BC receiving anthracyclines and taxanes NCT, while higher infiltration of residual tumor by CD8 associated to worse DFS in patients with HS Her2- BC without pCR after NCT. TIL might be useful as predictive factors in the setting of NCT for BC [Supported by GEICAM-Beca Ana Balil].

Evaluation of the prognostic value and phenotypic determinants of Bcl-2 expression in breast invasive carcinoma

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Background: Bcl-2 expression has been related to hormonal dependence and better prognosis of breast cancer. Although some reports suggest that its expression has an independent prognostic value, especially in N positive patients, the clinical relevance of determining Bcl-2 is unclear. The aim of this work was to analyze which other tumor markers predict Bcl-2 expression in breast cancer and explore its prognostic value. Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of ER, PR, Her2-neu, Ki-67, p53, cathepsin-D and Bcl-2 was prospectively examined in a series of 87 consecutive invasive BC patients. Bcl-2 was semiquantitavely scored according to a validated system (Treré, 2007). Correlation between variables was analyzed with Chi-square test; disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by log-rank test and Cox models. Results: Patient characteristics: median age 57 yrs (31-86), 64.5% postmenopausal; treatment: 49.5% breast-preserving surgery, 71.6% adjuvant-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 72.1% adjuvant radiotherapy ; tumor histology: 83.9% ductal invasive carcinoma, 28.2% grade 3; stage: T1:57%, T2:31.2%, T3-4:8.6%, 48.9% nodal metastasis (pN1:36.7%; pN2:12.2%); tumor phenotype: 77.2% ER+ , 78.3% PgR+ , 9.7% Her2-neu+, 50.6% high Ki-67 (>13%). Immunohistochemical evaluation for Bcl-2: 41/87 (47.1%) positive cases. No expression of Bcl-2 was observed in ER/PgR negative tumors (p< 0.001). Bcl-2 expression was associated to histological grade 1-2 (p=0.009), absence of Her2-neu amplification (p=0.03), p53+ status (p=0.008) and lower cathepsin-D expression (p<0.001), but no association was found for proliferation (Ki-67) or stage (pT or pN). A significant effect of Bcl-2 on overall (p=0.27) or disease free survival (p=0.28) was found neither in the whole group nor in pN+ or pN- subgroups. The only independent prognostic factors for DFS were hormone-sensitivity (OR: 0.10; p=0.009) and pN (OR=2.77; p=0.05). Conclusions: Expression of Bcl-2 in invasive breast cancer seems to be dependent on hormonal sensitivity, p53 status and Her2 expression; no independent prognostic value for recurrence or survival was found in our series.

Value of circulating epithelial tumor cells and circulating endothelial cells (CTCs/CECs) in patients with HER2-negative recurrent or metastatic breast cancer treated with bevacizumab (B) in combination with paclitaxel (P) and gemcitabine (G) as first-line therapy (AVALUZ trial)

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Background: CTCs in peripheral blood are an ideal source for the detection of tumor dissemination. Their prognosis significance has been demonstrated in metastasic breast carcinoma (Cristofanilli, NEJM 2004). Beacizumab in combination with CT, improves progression free survival (PFS) of first line treatments, may modify CTC and CEC levels. Aims of this study are the evaluation of the prevalence and kinetics of CTCs and CECs before and after treatment with B in pts with MBC Methods: Pts received B 10mg/kg/q2w combined with P 150mg/m2 and G 2000mg/m2 d1,15/q28d therapy until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal. CTC/CEC were measured in 7.5ml of blood at baseline and after the 1st cycle of treatment. Enumeration was performed by CellSearch System, Veridex Results: Data were available for 37 pts. Median of f-up was 16.2 m. The media of CTCs was 41 cells (min0-max845) in the 1st determination and 5 cells (min0-max99) in 2nd determination. Baseline CTCs>2 was associated with statistic lower PFS 10.8 m (95%CI:7.66-16.91) compared to those with CTCs<2, PFS 17.7m (95%CI:17.60-NA),p=0.046. Baseline CTCs>10 vs CTCs<10 was associated with statistic lower OS (14%vs45% of deaths), p=0.035. 92% (N=22) of pts that had stable disease/partial response, decreased or maintained CTCs value. CTC level was not correlated with CEC level, p=0.74. Media value of baseline CECs was 130 (min4-max1407) and 60.3 (min0-max349) in 2nd determination. Baseline CECs>200 was associated with lower PFS 8.2m (95%CI:0.6-10.8) compared to those with <200, PFS 16.9m (95%CI:8.78-NA),p=0.003. No difference was observed in OS. 74% of pts (N=14) that had stable disease/partial response, decreased or maintained CECs value. Baseline CTCs >5 was associated with a median PFS of 15.2 m (95%CI:7.6-16.9) Conclusions: Our study suggests significant correlations between levels of baseline CTCs and CECs and poor prognosis. Addiction of B to 1st-line CT was related with high reduction of CECs and CTCs count.

Predictive value of peripheral blood lymphocyte count in breast cancer patients treated with primary chemotherapy

Peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) count may reflect the immune status of cancer patients. We retrospectively analyzed the predictive and prognostic impact of baseline and post-chemotherapy PBL counts in a homogeneous group of 103 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (anthracyclines and taxanes). In univariate analysis, baseline PBL under 1500 × 10(6)/L (p = 0.013; hazard ratio [HR]: 2.80, 95%CI 1.24-6.61), and PBL decrease >200 × 10(6)/L after the first cycle of chemotherapy (p = 0.047; HR: 2.82, 95%CI 1.01-7.86) were significantly related to disease free survival. In multivariate analysis, both baseline PBL count less than 1500 × 10(6)/L (p = 0.034; HR: 3.32, 95%CI 1.09-10.02) and PBL decrease >200 × 10(6)/L after first cycle (p = 0.032; HR: 3.25, 95%CI 1.10-9.56) showed independent prognostic value for worse disease free survival. No effect was observed for overall survival. Our data support the relevance of pre- and post-chemotherapy PBL for breast cancer recurrence after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Depletion of endogenous interleukin-10 augments interleukin-1 beta secretion by Mycobacterium bovis BCG-reactive human cells

In this study, we found evidence that the interleukin-10 (IL-10) protein is functionally relevant in Mycobacterium bovis BCG-induced cytokine synthesis, as neutralization of endogenously synthesized IL-10 in human cells activated with BCG resulted in a two- to threefold increase in the level of IL-1 beta. When exogenous recombinant human IL-10 was added to human mononuclear cells, a significant reduction of BCG-induced IL-1 beta secretion was observed. This inhibitory effect was not attributed to a cytotoxic effect, since trypan blue exclusion studies indicated no loss of cell viability in the presence of IL-10, and it was specific, as it was completely abolished in the presence of anti-IL-10 neutralizing monoclonal antibody while an irrelevant antibody used as a control had no effect. Taken together, these are the first studies that demonstrate that the depletion of endogenous IL-10 via anti-IL-10 antibody results in a very significantly enhanced BCG-induced IL-1 beta secretion and that the addition of exogenous IL-10 to human mononuclear cells stimulated with BCG inhibits IL-1 beta production. Further experimental work is needed to determine if the neutralization of IL-10 activity via anti-IL-10 antibody indeed enhances cytokine synthesis in vivo. However, the present results may be of importance, since the use of anti-IL-10 antibody could presumably contribute to the protective immunity induced by BCG against tuberculosis via an increase in cytokine synthesis that would amplify antimicrobial systems.