CD40‐independent natural killer‐cell help promotes dendritic cell vaccine‐induced T‐cell immunity against endogenous B‐cell lymphoma

It is well established that an interplay between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) gives rise to their reciprocal activation and provides a Th1‐biased cytokine milieu that fosters antitumor T‐cell responses. Ex vivo‐differentiated DCs transferred into mice strongly stimulate endogenous NK cells to produce interferon (IFN)‐γ and initiate a cascade that eventually leads to cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte responses. We show that the ability of exogenous DCs to trigger this pathway obviates CD40 signaling and CD4⁺ T‐cell help and depends on a preceding maturation step. Importantly, this mechanism was also effective in endogenously arising tumors where IFN‐γ production is compromised in contrast to transplantable tumors. In c‐myc‐transgenic mice developing spontaneous lymphomas, injection of unpulsed DCs caused NK‐cell activation and induced CD8⁺ T cells capable of recognizing the lymphoma cells. Animals treated with unpulsed DCs showed a survival benefit compared to untreated myc mice. Hence, tumor immunity induced by DC‐based vaccines not only depends on specific antigens loaded on the DCs. Rather, DC vaccines generate broader immune responses, because endogenous DCs presenting tumor antigens may also become stimulated by NK cells that were activated by exogenous DCs. Thus, the DC/NK‐cell/cytotoxic T lymphocyte axis may commonly have relevance for DC‐based vaccination protocols in clinical settings.     

Lack of interleukin‐6 in the tumor microenvironment augments type‐1 immunity and increases the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy

Conquering immunosuppression in tumor microenvironments is crucial for effective cancer immunotherapy. It is well known that interleukin (IL)‐6, a pleiotropic cytokine, is produced in the tumor‐bearing state. In the present study, we investigated the precise effects of IL‐6 on antitumor immunity and the subsequent tumorigenesis in tumor‐bearing hosts. CT26 cells, a murine colon cancer cell line, were intradermally injected into wild‐type and IL‐6‐deficient mice. As a result, we found that tumor growth was decreased significantly in IL‐6‐deficient mice compared with wild‐type mice and the reduction was abrogated by depletion of CD8⁺ T cells. We further evaluated the immune status of tumor microenvironments and confirmed that mature dendritic cells, helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells were highly accumulated in tumor sites under the IL‐6‐deficient condition. In addition, higher numbers of interferon (IFN)‐γ‐producing T cells were present in the tumor tissues of IL‐6‐deficient mice compared with wild‐type mice. Surface expression levels of programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and MHC class I on CT26 cells were enhanced under the IL‐6‐deficient condition in vivo and by IFN‐γ stimulation in vitro. Finally, we confirmed that in vivo injection of an anti‐PD‐L1 antibody or a Toll‐like receptor 3 ligand, polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid, effectively inhibited tumorigenesis under the IL‐6‐deficient condition. Based on these findings, we speculate that a lack of IL‐6 produced in tumor‐bearing host augments induction of antitumor effector T cells and inhibits tumorigenesis in vivo, suggesting that IL‐6 signaling may be a promising target for the development of effective cancer immunotherapies.     

Antimetastatic effects of thalidomide by inducing the functional maturation of peripheral natural killer cells

Thalidomide and its analogues are known as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) that possess direct antimyeloma effects, in addition to other secondary effects, including antiangiogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Although the involvement of natural killer (NK) cells in the antitumor effects of IMiDs has been reported, it is unclear whether IMiDs inhibit cancer cell metastasis by regulating the antitumor function of NK cells. In this study, we examined the protective effects of thalidomide against cancer metastasis by focusing on its immunomodulatory effects through NK cells. Using experimental lung metastasis models, we found that pharmacological effects of thalidomide on host cells, but not its direct anticancer tumor effects, are responsible for the inhibition of lung metastases. To exert the antimetastatic effects of thalidomide, both γ‐interferon (IFN‐γ) production and direct cytotoxicity of NK cells were essential, without notable contribution from T cells. In thalidomide‐treated mice, there was a significant increase in the terminally differentiated mature CD27^lo NK cells in the peripheral tissues and NK cells in thalidomide‐treated mice showed significantly higher cytotoxicity and IFN‐γ production. The NK cell expression of T‐bet was upregulated by thalidomide treatment and the downregulation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β expression was observed in thalidomide‐treated NK cells. Collectively, our study suggests that thalidomide induces the functional maturation of peripheral NK cells through alteration of T‐bet expression to inhibit lung metastasis of cancer cells.     

Interferon‐γ down‐regulates NKG2D ligand expression and impairs the NKG2D‐mediated cytolysis of MHC class I‐deficient melanoma by natural killer cells

NKG2D operates as an activating receptor on natural killer (NK) cells and costimulates the effector function of αβ CD8⁺ T cells. Ligands of NKG2D, the MHC class I chain‐related (MIC) and UL16 binding protein (ULBP) molecules, are expressed on a variety of human tumors, including melanoma. Recent studies in mice demonstrated that NKG2D mediates tumor immune surveillance, suggesting that antitumor immunity in humans could be enhanced by therapeutic manipulation of NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL) expression. However, signals and mechanisms regulating NKG2DL expression still need to be elucidated. Here, we asked whether the proinflammatory cytokine Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) affects NKG2DL expression in melanoma. Cell lines, established from MHC class I‐negative and ‐positive melanoma metastases, predominantly expressed MICA and ULBP2 molecules on their surface. Upon IFN‐γ treatment, expression of MICA, in some cases, also of ULBP2 decreased. Besides melanoma, this observation was made also for glioma cells. Down‐regulation of NKG2DL surface expression was dependent on the cytokine dose and the duration of treatment, but was neither due to an intracellular retention of the molecules nor to an increased shedding of ligands from the tumor cell surface. Instead, quantitative RT‐PCR revealed a decrease of MICA‐specific mRNA levels upon IFN‐γ treatment and siRNA experiments pointed to an involvement of STAT‐1 in this process. Importantly, IFN‐γ‐treated MHC class I‐negative melanoma cells were less susceptible to NKG2D‐mediated NK cell cytotoxicity. Our study suggests that IFN‐γ, by down‐regulating ligand expression, might facilitate escape of MHC class I‐negative melanoma cells from NKG2D‐mediated killing by NK cells. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Reversal of tumor acidosis by systemic buffering reactivates NK cells to express IFN‐γ and induces NK cell‐dependent lymphoma control without other immunotherapies

Like other immune cells, natural killer (NK) cells show impaired effector functions in the microenvironment of tumors, but little is known on the underlying mechanisms. Since lactate acidosis, a hallmark of malignant tissue, was shown to contribute to suppression of effective antitumor immune responses, we investigated the impact of tissue pH and lactate concentration on NK‐cell functions in an aggressive model of endogenously arising B‐cell lymphoma. The progressive loss of IFN‐γ production by NK cells observed during development of this disease could be ascribed to decreased pH values and lactate accumulation in the microenvironment of growing tumors. Interestingly, IFN‐γ expression by lymphoma‐derived NK cells could be restored by transfer of these cells into a normal micromilieu. Likewise, systemic alkalization by oral delivery of bicarbonate to lymphoma‐developing mice was capable of enhancing IFN‐γ expression in NK cells and increasing the NK‐cell numbers in the lymphoid organs where tumors were growing. By contrast, NK‐cell cytotoxicity was dampened in vivo by tumor‐dependent mechanisms that seemed to be different from lactate acidosis and could not be restored in a normal milieu. Most importantly, alkalization and the concomitant IFN‐γ upregulation in NK cells were sufficient to significantly delay tumor growth without any other immunotherapy. This effect was strictly dependent on NK cells.     

Anti‐tumor effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid on Epstein–Barr virus‐associated T cell and natural killer cell lymphoma

The ubiquitous Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infects not only B cells but also T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and is associated with various lymphoid malignancies. Recent studies have reported that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors exert anticancer effects against various tumor cells. In the present study, we have evaluated both the in vitro and in vivo effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), an HDAC inhibitor, on EBV‐positive and EBV‐negative T and NK lymphoma cells. Several EBV‐positive and EBV‐negative T and NK cell lines were treated with various concentrations of SAHA. SAHA suppressed the proliferation of T and NK cell lines, although no significant difference was observed between EBV‐positive and EBV‐negative cell lines. SAHA induced apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest in several T and NK cell lines. In addition, SAHA increased the expression of EBV‐lytic genes and decreased the expression of EBV‐latent genes. Next, EBV‐positive NK cell lymphoma cells were subcutaneously inoculated into severely immunodeficient NOD/Shi‐scid/IL‐2Rγnull mice, and then SAHA was administered intraperitoneally. SAHA inhibited tumor progression and metastasis in the murine xenograft model. SAHA displayed a marked suppressive effect against EBV‐associated T and NK cell lymphomas through either induction of apoptosis or cell cycle arrest, and may represent an alternative treatment option.     

TLR2/6 agonists and interferon‐gamma induce human melanoma cells to produce CXCL10

Clinical approaches to treat advanced melanoma include immune therapies, whose benefits depend on tumor‐reactive T‐cell infiltration of metastases. However, most tumors lack significant immune infiltration prior to therapy. Selected chemokines promote T‐cell migration into tumors; thus, agents that induce these chemokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may improve responses to systemic immune therapy. CXCL10 has been implicated as a critical chemokine supporting T‐cell infiltration into the TME. Here, we show that toll‐like receptor (TLR) agonists can induce chemokine production directly from melanoma cells when combined with IFNγ treatment. We find that TLR2 and TLR6 are widely expressed on human melanoma cells, and that TLR2/6 agonists (MALP‐2 or FSL‐1) synergize with interferon‐gamma (IFNγ) to induce production of CXCL10 from melanoma cells. Furthermore, melanoma cells and immune cells from surgical specimens also respond to TLR2/6 agonists and IFNγ by upregulating CXCL10 production, compared to treatment with either agent alone. Collectively, these data identify a novel mechanism for inducing CXCL10 production directly from melanoma cells, with TLR2/6 agonists +IFNγ and raise the possibility that intratumoral administration of these agents may improve immune signatures in melanoma and have value in combination with other immune therapies, by supporting T‐cell migration into melanoma metastases.     

Regulatory T cells control macrophage accumulation and activation in lymphoma

Strategies of manipulating immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Treg) in cancer patients are currently evaluated in clinical trials. Treg suppress immune responses of tumor‐specific T cells; yet, relatively little is known about the impact of Treg on innate immune cells in tumor models in vivo. Many tumors lose expression of MHC class I. Therefore, our study aimed at defining strategies to strengthen immune responses against a high tumor burden of the MHC class I‐deficient mouse lymphoma RMA‐S. We demonstrate that Treg depletion in mice led to tumor rejection that was dependent on T cells, NK cells and IFN‐γ. In the absence of Treg elevated levels of IFN‐γ were produced by tumor‐infiltrating T cells and NK cells. Tumor rejection observed in the absence of Treg correlated with a substantial IFN‐γ‐dependent increase in the numbers of tumor‐infiltrating leukocytes. The most abundant cell population in the tumors was macrophages. Tumor‐infiltrating macrophages from Treg‐depleted mice expressed increased amounts of MHC class II, produced highly enhanced levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and inhibited tumor cell proliferation. It was reported that tumor‐infiltrating macrophages have multi‐faceted functions promoting or counteracting tumor growth. In our study, high numbers of macrophages infiltrating RMA‐S tumors in the absence of Treg correlated with tumor rejection suggesting that macrophages are additional targets for Treg‐mediated immune suppression in cancer.     

Identification of NY‐BR‐1‐specific CD4+ T cell epitopes using HLA‐transgenic mice

Breast cancer represents the second most common cancer type worldwide and has remained the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths among women. The differentiation antigen NY‐BR‐1 appears overexpressed in invasive mammary carcinomas compared to healthy breast tissue, thus representing a promising target antigen for T cell based tumor immunotherapy approaches. Since efficient immune attack of tumors depends on the activity of tumor antigen‐specific CD4⁺ effector T cells, NY‐BR‐1 was screened for the presence of HLA‐restricted CD4⁺ T cell epitopes that could be included in immunological treatment approaches. Upon NY‐BR‐1‐specific DNA immunization of HLA‐transgenic mice and functional ex vivo analysis, a panel of NY‐BR‐1‐derived library peptides was determined that specifically stimulated IFNγ secretion among splenocytes of immunized mice. Following in silico analyses, four candidate epitopes were determined which were successfully used for peptide immunization to establish NY‐BR‐1‐specific, HLA‐DRB1*0301– or HLA‐DRB1*0401‐restricted CD4⁺ T cell lines from splenocytes of peptide immunized HLA‐transgenic mice. Notably, all four CD4⁺ T cell lines recognized human HLA‐DR‐matched dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with lysates of NY‐BR‐1 expressing human tumor cells, demonstrating natural processing of these epitopes also within the human system. Finally, CD4⁺ T cells specific for all four CD4⁺ T cell epitopes were detectable among PBMC of breast cancer patients, showing that CD4⁺ T cell responses against the new epitopes are not deleted nor inactivated by self‐tolerance mechanisms. Our results present the first NY‐BR‐1‐specific HLA‐DRB1*0301– and HLA‐DRB1*0401‐restricted T cell epitopes that could be exploited for therapeutic intervention against breast cancer.     

Role of nk cells in the antimetastatic effect of anticoagulant drugs

The antimetastatic effects of heparin (40 units) and prostacylin (PGI₂, 100 μ)¹ were investigated in normal mice and in mice with depressed or activated natural killer (NK) cell activity. Both anticoagulants inhibited the formation of lung metastases after inoculation of the F1 or F10 sublines of B16 melanoma. Inhibition of NK activity by treatment of mice with anti-asialo GM₁ serum abrogated the antimetastatic effects of PGI₂ or heparin. Conversely, augmentation of NK-cell activity by poly I:C plus treatment with anticoagulants produced synergistic antimetastatic effects. A similar pattern of results was obtained with heparin treatment of mice challenged with the Madison lung carcinoma (M109), but PGI₂ alone or in combination with theophylline had little or no detectable antimetastatic effect on M109 or on the parental B16 melanoma. Studies of the mechanism of the interaction between heparin nd NK cells revealed that the anticoagulant treatment did not affect splenic NK activity in vitro However, heparin treatment caused a significant increase in the clearance of radiolabelled tumor cells from the lungs of normal mice. Combined treatment of mice with poly I:C and heparin synergistically accelerated the elimination of radiolabelled tumor cells. In contrast, heparin did not affect the clearance of tumor cells from the lungs of mice with depressed NK activity. Thus the antimetastatic effects of heparin and PGI₂ are dependent on levels of NK activity in the host. Platelet aggregation and fibrin coating of the surface of tumor cells may be among the mechanisms by which hematogenously spread tumor cells are protected from destruction by NK cells. Anticoagulant drugs may exert antimetastatic effects by making tumor cells more vulnerable to the cytotoxic effects of NK cells, rather than by blocking adherence of tumor cells to vascular endothelium.     

Tumor‐specific cytotoxic T cell generation and dendritic cell function are differentially regulated by interleukin 27 during development of anti‐tumor immunity

Interleukin (IL‐) 27 is a member of IL‐12 cytokine family with Th1‐promoting and anti‐inflammatory effects. IL‐27 has been shown to facilitate tumor‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) induction against various tumors. However, IL‐27 suppresses cytokine production of lymphocytes and antigen‐presenting function of dendritic cells (DCs). To examine the in vivo role of IL‐27 in generation of anti‐tumor immunity, we examined IL‐27‐mediated antitumor‐effects using WSX‐1 (IL‐27 receptor α chain)‐deficient (WSX‐1^?/?) mice. In WSX‐1^?/? mice inoculated with B16 melanoma cells, tumor growth was higher than in wild‐type (WT) mice. Accordingly, tumor‐specific CTL generation was lower in WSX‐1^?/? mice than in WT mice. CTL induction in WSX‐1^?/? mice was not restored by transfer of WT DCs pulsed with TRP2 peptide, indicating that IL‐27 is directly required for generation of tumor‐specific CTLs. However, when transferred into tumor‐bearing mice, WSX‐1^?/? DCs pulsed with TRP2 peptide was more potent than WT DCs in tumor growth inhibition and generation of CTLs, indicating suppressive effects of IL‐27 on DC function. Finally, the combination of WT CD8⁺ T cells and KO DCs is more potent in generation of antigen‐specific CTLs than any other combinations. Expression of perforin gene and percentages of tumor‐specific CD8⁺ T cells were also the highest in the combination of WT CD8+ T cells and WSX‐1^?/? DCs. It was thus revealed that IL‐27 promotes CTL generation while suppressing DC function during generation of tumor immunity. The combination of WT T cells and IL‐27 signal‐defective DCs may have therapeutic potential against tumors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Anti-tumor activity of cytokines against opportunistic vascular tumors in mice

Polyoma middle T (PmT)-transformed endothelial cells may represent a unique murine model for human opportunistic vascular tumors. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of a panel of 13 cytokines against murine PmT-transformed endothelial cells. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) substantially decreased in a dose-dependent manner the proliferation of a panel of 6 PmT-transformed cell lines. IFNα and tumor necrosis factor α (TGFα) had marginal anti-proliferative activity, whereas other molecules (interleukins-1, -2, -4, -6 and -13, IFNβ, leukemia inhibitory factor, oncostatin M, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) caused no growth inhibition. IFNγ and TGFβ1 were therefore selected for further analysis of their mechanism of action and in vivo relevance. IFNγ and TGFβ1 reduced the activity of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and the production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-biphosphate, without modifying the tyrosine kinase(s) activity associated with PmT. IFNγ and TGFβ1 were also tested for their ability to modify the in vivo growth of the PmT-transformed endothelial cells H5V in syngeneic C57B1/6 mice. Treatment with IFNγ and TGFβ1 significantly delayed tumor growth and increased survival time. In contrast, treatment with IFNα and TNFα failed to prolong survival. In nude mice, IFNγ and TGFβ1 had a transient effect on tumor growth but no effect on survival, suggesting a contribution of T cells to the in vivo anti-tumor activity of these cytokines. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anti‐tumor activity of CpG‐ODN aerosol in mouse lung metastases

Studies in preclinical models have demonstrated the superior anti‐tumor effect of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG‐ODN) when administered at the tumor site rather than systemically. We evaluated the effect of aerosolized CpG‐ODN on lung metastases in mice injected with immunogenic N202.1A mammary carcinoma cells or weakly immunogenic B16 melanoma cells. Upon reaching the bronchoalveolar space, aerosolized CpG‐ODN activated a local immune response, as indicated by production of IL‐12p40, IFN‐γ and IL‐1β and by recruitment and maturation of DC cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice. Treatment with aerosolized CpG‐ODN induced an expansion of CD4+ cells in lung and was more efficacious than systemic i.p. administration against experimental lung metastases of immunogenic N202.1A mammary carcinoma cells, whereas only i.p. delivery of CpG‐ODN provided anti‐tumor activity, which correlated with NK cell expansion in the lung, against lung metastases of the poorly immunogenic B16 melanoma. The inefficacy of aerosol therapy to induce NK expansion was related to the presence of immunosuppressive macrophages in B16 tumor‐bearing lungs, as mice depleted of these cells by clodronate treatment responded to aerosol CpG‐ODN through expansion of the NK cell population and significantly reduced numbers of lung metastases. Our results indicate that tumor immunogenicity and the tumor‐induced immunosuppressive environment are critical factors to the success of CpG therapy in the lung, and point to the value of routine sampling of the lung immune environment in defining an optimal immunotherapeutic strategy.     

Genome‐wide RNA‐Seq identifies Fas/FasL‐mediated tumoricidal activity of embryonic stem cells

The discovery of tumor tropism of stem cells revealed the intimate relationship between stem cells and tumor cells, but the functional role of stem cells in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. To investigate embryonic stem cell (ESC) and tumor cell interactions, we co‐cultured mouse ESCs with mouse melanoma B16‐F10 cells or mouse pancreatic tumor Pan02 cells, and found that ESCs significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Coculture of ESCs and tumor cells resulted in significant inhibition of tumorigenesis in vivo. Histological analyses indicated that ESCs encircled apoptotic tumor cells. We carried out time course RNA‐Seq analyses of ESC and tumor cell co‐cultures, and identified Fas/FasL signaling as a major pathway involved in ESC‐mediated apoptosis of tumor cells. We further generated FADD‐deficient tumor cells by CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing, and demonstrated that FADD‐deficient tumor cells were obviously resistant to ESC‐mediated inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. Our results indicate the Fas/FasL signaling pathway plays a critical role in ESCs‐mediated tumoricidal activity.     

Augmentation of the antimetastatic effect of anticoagulant drugs by immunostimulation in mice

The effect of anticoagulant drugs on formation of experimental tumor metastases after i.v. inoculation of BL6 melanoma or Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) cells was studied in mice with stimulated or depressed natural killer (NK) cell activity. When mice were treated with anticoagulants (warfarin or heparin) or when NK cell activity was stimulated by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, significant antimetastatic effects were observed; these effects were substantially augmented when the treatments were combined. However, when NK reactivity of mice was suppressed by anti-asialo GM1 serum or cyclophosphamide, the antimetastatic effects of warfarin and heparin were diminished or completely abrogated. In some experiments, the anticoagulants had a partial effect in mice treated with cyclophosphamide or anti-asialo GM1 serum and reduced at least to control levels the number of metastases in these mice. This limited antimetastatic effect of the anticoagulants was mostly due to the action of residual NK cells, since it was completely abrogated in mice whose NK cell activity was more completely suppressed by two injections of anti-asialo GM1 serum. In addition, the low NK reactivity of 3-week-old C57BL/6 or beige mice was sufficient to support the antimetastatic effects of the anticoagulants, effects that completely disappeared after these mice were treated with anti-asialo GM1 serum. Augmentation or abrogation of the antimetastatic effects of heparin after polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid or anti-asialo GM1 treatments, respectively, was observed in athymic nude and allogeneic BALB/c mice that received i.v. injections of B16F1 melanoma cells, indicating that the antimetastatic effects of anticoagulants depend on the presence of active NK rather than T-cells. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of NK-competent but not NK-depleted syngeneic spleen cells restored the antimetastatic effect of heparin in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Warfarin treatment increased the elimination of radiolabeled BL6 melanoma cells from the lungs of normal mice, and the rate of tumor cell elimination was further potentiated when NK cell activity was stimulated by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. In contrast, after anti-asialo GM1 treatment, warfarin had no effect on the survival of i.v. administered tumor cells. Covering of YAC-1 or 3LL tumor cells with fibrin after in vitro exposure with fibrinogen and thrombin substantially protected them from the in vitro cytotoxic action of NK or lymphokine-activated killer cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Tumor‐specific cytokine release by donor T cells induces an effective host anti‐tumor response through recruitment of host naive antigen presenting cells

We recently reported that tumor eradication induced by immunotherapy (IT) in a congenic mouse model using tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) + recombinant interleukin‐2 (rIL‐2) is dependent on recruitment of naive host immune cells at the tumor sites. The recruitment of host immune cells was induced mainly through a local secretion of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) produced by donor T cells. We now further investigated how a non‐specific inflammatory response progresses to a host T‐cell‐mediated tumor‐specific response. In crossover experiments using MCA‐105 and MCA‐205 sarcoma tumors, pulmonary metastatic disease was eradicated only in mice treated with tumor‐matched TIL + rIL‐2. In vitro, TIL stimulated with the tumor of origin secreted relatively high levels of IFN‐γ and granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) compared to TIL stimulated with mismatched tumor cells. In lungs of tumor‐bearing mice treated with matched TIL + rIL‐2, significant increases in the percentages of IFN‐γ, GM‐CSF and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) positive cells were detected, as well as of macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells. Depletion of macrophages or NK cells did not inhibit the efficacy. In contrast, depletion of dendritic cells partially inhibited the efficacy of the treatment. Combined depletion of dendritic cells and macrophages abrogated more than 80% of the efficacy. Our data suggest that successful IT may require 3 steps: (1) release of inflammatory cytokines by donor TIL after restimulation by tumor cells; (2) infiltration of host immune cells in response to local cytokine production; and (3) activation of tumor‐specific host immune cells by dendritic cells and to a lesser extent by macrophages. Int. J. Cancer 80:308–314, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cancer therapy with major histocompatibility complex‐deficient and interferon β‐producing myeloid cells derived from allogeneic embryonic stem cells

We previously established a method to generate myeloid cells with a proliferative capability from pluripotent stem cells and designated them iPS‐ML. Human iPS‐ML cells share features with physiological macrophages including the capability to infiltrate into cancer tissues. We observed therapeutic effects of human iPS‐ML cells expressing interferon β (iPS‐ML/interferon (IFN)‐β) in xenograft cancer models. However, assessment of host immune system‐mediated therapeutic and adverse effects of this therapy is impossible by xenograft models. We currently evaluated the therapeutic effects of a mouse equivalent of human iPS‐ML/IFN, a mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell‐derived myeloid cell line producing IFN (ES‐ML/IFN). The ES‐MLs producing IFN‐β (β‐ML) and IFN‐γ (γ‐ML) and originating from E14 ES cells derived from the 129 mouse strain (H‐2^b) were generated, and the MHC (H‐2K^b, D^b, and I‐A^b) genes of the ES‐ML/IFN were disrupted using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CAS9 method. We used the ES‐ML/IFN to treat allogeneic BALB/c mice (H‐2^d) transplanted with Colon26 cancer cells. Treatment with β‐ML but not with γ‐ML cells repressed the growth of colon cancer in the peritoneal cavity and liver. The transferred ES‐ML/IFN infiltrated into cancer tissues and enhanced infiltration of T cells into cancer tissues. ES‐ML/IFN therapy increased the number of immune cells in the lymphoid organs. Sensitization of both cancer antigen‐specific CD8⁺ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells were enhanced by the therapy, and CD8⁺ T cells were essential for the therapeutic effect, implying that donor MHC‐deficient β‐ML exhibited a therapeutic effect through the activation of host immune cells derived from allogeneic recipient mice. The results suggested the usefulness of HLA‐deficient human iPS‐ML/IFN‐β cells for therapy of HLA‐mismatched allogeneic cancer patients.     

Doxorubicin sensitizes human tumor cells to NK cell‐ and T‐cell‐mediated killing by augmented TRAIL receptor signaling

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic that is widely used to treat different types of malignancy. In this study, it was studied whether DOX could be used to render tumor cells susceptible to apoptosis by NK and T cells. Pretreatment with subapoptotic doses of DOX sensitized tumor cell lines of various histotypes to both NK and T cells resulting in a 3.7 to 32.7% increase in lysis (2.5 mean fold increase, p < 0.0001) and a 2.9 to 14.2% increase in lysis (3.0 mean‐fold increase, p < 0.05), respectively. The sensitizing effect of the drug was primarily dependent on the tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL)/TRAIL‐receptor signaling, but not on Fas‐ligand, perforin, NKG2D or DNAM‐1. The central role of the TRAIL signaling pathway was further supported by an increased expression of TRAIL‐R2 on DOX‐treated tumor cells and by downregulation of cellular FLICE inhibitory protein, the inhibitors of death receptor‐mediated apoptosis. Compared to untreated cells, pretreatment of tumor cells with DOX showed increased processing and activation of caspase‐8 on coculture with NK or T cells. The significance of this treatment strategy was confirmed using a xenogeneic tumor‐bearing mouse model. Tumor progression was delayed in mice that received either NK cells (p < 0.05) or T cells (p < 0.0001) following DOX treatment compared to mice receiving either cell type alone. Moreover, combined infusion of both NK and T cells following DOX treatment not only delayed tumor progression but also significantly improved the long‐term survival (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, it was proposed that DOX can be used to improve the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy in patients with cancer.     

Gene transfer of NK4, an angiogenesis inhibitor,induces CT26 tumor regression via tumor‐specific T lymphocyte activation

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to be involved in malignant behaviors, such as invasion and metastasis, in different tumors. Hence, HGF could be a target molecule for control of the malignant potential of cancer. NK4 is a competitive antagonist for HGF and exerts an antitumor activity, not only by HGF antagonism but also by antiangiogenesis. Here, we studied the participation of cellular immunity in CT26 tumor regression by NK4 gene transfer. In vivo experiments showed that NK4‐induced inhibition of subcutaneous tumor growth (as demonstrated in immunocompetent BALB/c mice) was weakened in T lymphocyte‐deficient nude mice. In addition, the immunocompetent BALB/c mice that had shown complete regression of CT26‐NK4 tumors generated an immune memory against repeated challenge with the same tumor antigen. Immunohistochemistry of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes showed that the ratio of CD8/CD4 in CT26‐NK4 tumors was significantly higher than that in control tumors. Also, the presence of tumor‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was demonstrated by cytotoxicity assays. Depletion of CD8+ T lymphocytes markedly abrogated the antitumor activity of NK4. However, NK4 had no direct effect on the in vitro cellular immune system. Taken together, these data indicate that NK4 expression by gene transfer, at the tumor site, triggers tumor‐specific CTL activation, resulting in complete CT26 tumor regression in vivo. This action was considered to be due to apoptosis induced by NK4's potent antiangiogenic and HGF antagonistic effects. © 2009 UICC