NK and CD8+ T cell-mediated eradication of poorly immunogenic B16-F10 melanoma by the combined action of IL-12 gene therapy and 4-1BB costimulation.

Abstract

In previous reports, systemic administration of a stimulatory monoclonal antibody directed against the 4-1BB receptor had no effect on survival or tumor burden in mice inoculated with the poorly immunogenic B16-F10 melanoma. We combined IL-12 gene transfer with 4-1BB costimulation to explore a previously noted cooperative anti-tumor effect against this model tumor. We hypothesize that the innate immune response mediated by IL-12-activated natural killer (NK) cells initiates the activation of the immune system, leading to the priming of T cells, whereas 4-1BB costimulation enhances the function of primed tumor-specific T cells. The effect of the combination therapy on the growth of subcutaneous (s.c.) tumors and pulmonary metastasis was examined. The combination therapy significantly retarded the growth of subcutaneously-inoculated tumors, and 50% of tumor-bearing mice survived with complete tumor regression. In contrast, neither IL-12 gene transfer nor anti-4-1BB antibody administration alone was as effective. Enhanced CTL activity against both B16-F10 tumor cells and TRP-2-pulsed EL4 syngeneic tumor cells was observed in tumor-bearing animals treated with the combination therapy 2 weeks after treatment and, in long-term survivors from this combination therapy, at >120 days. In a pulmonary metastatic model, only the combination therapy generated significant protection against metastasis. In vivo depletion of NK or CD8(+) but not CD4(+) subsets eliminated the protective immunity. Furthermore, NK cell depletion significantly reduced both tumor-specific CTL activity and the number of tumor-specific IFN-gamma-producing cells, suggesting that this synergistic effect requires the participation of both NK and CD8(+) T cells.

• Authors: Dongping Xu, Peidi Gu, Ping-Ying Pan, Qingsheng Li, Alice I Sato, Shu-Hsia Chen
• Journal: International journal of cancer (Int J Cancer) Vol. 109 Issue 4 Pg. 499-506 (Apr 20 2004) ISSN: 0020-7136 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14991570 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antigens, CD
• Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Tnfrsf9 protein, mouse
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9
• Interleukin-12

Topics

• Adenoviridae (genetics)
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Antigens, CD
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Drug Synergism
• Female
• Genetic Therapy
• Genetic Vectors (administration & dosage, genetics)
• Immunity, Cellular
• Immunotherapy
• Interleukin-12 (administration & dosage)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
• Lung Neoplasms (immunology, secondary, therapy)
• Lymphocyte Depletion
• Melanoma, Experimental (immunology, pathology, therapy)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor (immunology)
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor (immunology)
• Skin Neoplasms (immunology, therapy)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9