抗CD20嵌合抗体片段Fab''突变体对B淋巴细胞凋亡及胞内Ca2+的影响

目的：研究抗CD20嵌合抗体片段Fab’突变体诱导B淋巴细胞凋亡的发生、凋亡相关基因表达以及细胞内钙离子的浓度变化。方法：以人B淋巴细胞（Raji细胞）为凋亡细胞模型，通过MTT法、Westernblot和流式细胞仪等方法观察bcl-2／bax基因表达、细胞色素c及胞内Ca^2＋的变化。结果：抗CD20嵌合抗体片段Fab’突变体对Raji细胞生长增殖具有明显的抑制作用，并呈剂量依赖性。细胞中bcl-2表达有微弱的下降，而bax表达明显升高，并出现细胞色素c的释放和胞内Ca^2＋浓度的升高。结论：抗CD20嵌合抗体片段Fab’突变体诱导Raji细胞凋亡，与bcl2／bax表达、细胞色素c的释放和胞内Ca^2＋浓度的升高有关。     

Inhibition of the EGF-induced activation of phospholipase C-gamma1 by a single chain antibody fragment.

Phospholipase C-gamma1(PLC-gamma1) is known to play an essential role in various cellular responses, such as proliferation and tumorigenesis, and PLC-gamma1-specific inhibitors are commonly employed to investigate the mechanism of the PLC-gamma1-mediated signaling pathway. In this study, we developed a single chain antibody fragment (scFv) as a blocker for PLC-gamma1 mediated signaling. scFv, designated F7-scFv, specifically bound to PLC-gamma1 with high affinity (K(d)=1.9x10(-8) M) in vitro. F7-scFv also bound to PLC-gamma1 in vivo and altered the distribution pattern of PLC-gamma1 from the cytoplasm to the intracellular aggregates, where F7-scFv was localized. Moreover, F7-scFv interrupted the EGF-induced translocation of PLC-gamma1 from the cytosol to the membrane ruffle and attenuated EGF-induced inositol phosphates generation and intracellular calcium mobilization. These results indicate that F7-scFv blocks EGF-induced PLC-gamma1 activation by causing sequestering of PLC-gamma1 into intracellular aggregates, and may therefore be useful in studies of the PLC-gamma1-mediated signaling pathway.     

Recombinant anti-botulinum neurotoxin A single-chain variable fragment antibody generated using a phage display system

A recombinant single-chain fragment variable antibody (scFv) to botulinum A neurotoxin (BoNT/A) was developed. BALB/C mice were immunized with BoNT/A. Splenomic RNA was isolated from the hyperimmune mice and used to prepare a cDNA library, from which the variable regions of the heavy and light chain antibody genes were generated and connected by a DNA linker. The resulting scFv genes were cloned into the phagemid vector pCANTAB5 in order to construct phage display scFv libraries. Individual anti-BoNT/A phage clones were isolated from the phage display libraries by immunoaffinity selection using immobilized BoNT/A and further evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Forty-eight clones were found to be BoNT/A-reactive. The most reactive clone, designated D12, was selected for further study. The scFv gene of D12 was subcloned into a Pichia pastoris vector, and expression in yeast was evaluated.     

Effect of a novel fully human monovalent antigen-binding fragment on the survival of cancer cell lines

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a cytokine having potent cytotoxic activity specifically to tumor cells. Agonistic antibodies against TRAIL receptors are currently being explored as anti-cancer therapeutics. Here, we report studies on JKTR-18, a monovalent human monoclonal antibody Fab selected against human recombinant TRAIL receptor 2 (DR5) by phage display technology. It induced cell death in Jurkat and HL60 leukemia cell lines without the need for secondary crosslinkers in vitro. It did not compete with soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) for binding to DR5, and its combination with sTRAIL resulted in greater cell death than either agent alone. The cell death induced by JKTR-18 included a caspase-independent mechanism. This is the first report of a monovalent antibody fragment against TRAIL receptor that can induce tumor cell death in the absence of a crosslinker.     

Engineering and characterization of a single-chain antibody fragment (scFV1924) against the human sarcoma-associated antigen p102

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) 19-24 against the human sarcoma-associated antigen (SAA) p102 was previously characterized, and it demonstrated potential for sarcoma immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy. Due to the limitations of using intact murine MAbs in human clinical settings, we engineered a single-chain antibody fragment of MAb 19-24 (scFV1924). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) 19-24 against the human sarcoma-associated antigen (SAA) p102 was previously characterized, and it demonstrated potential for sarcoma immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy. Due to the limitations of using intact murine MAbs in human clinical settings, we engineered a single-chain antibody fragment of MAb 19-24 (scFV1924). RESULTS: The results from competition radioimmunoassay showed that binding of MAb 19-24 to SAA p102 on sarcoma cell membranes was inhibited by scFV1924. CONCLUSIONS: This indicates the potential of further application of the scFV1924 in human sarcoma immunotherapy.     

A single-chain antibody fragment against human thyroglobulin: construction and evaluation of immunoreactivity

Smaller recombinant antibody fragments are at the forefront of in vivo diagnosis and therapy. These units possess better distribution and faster clearance than larger molecules. Among these, single chain antibody fragments (scFv) are emerging as credible alternatives. These proteins are shown to have same specificities and affinities for their antigens as the parental monoclonal antibody (MAb). We have attempted to produce scFv against human thyroglobulin (H-Tg) using anti-Tg secreting hybridoma cells and PCR-based cloning approach. Hybridoma secreting anti-Tg MAb B10IV was established. cDNA was prepared from hybridoma cells. The V(H) and V(L) genes were amplified and cloned. The gene sequences were submitted to Genebank database (accession nos. AJ508533 and AM072962, respectively.) V(L) and V(H) genes were then linked together with a linker peptide and successfully cloned in pET28a and expressed as His-tag fusion protein in expression host BL21 (DE3). The scFv protein from IPTG-induced cells was purified under native conditions by immobilized metal affinity chromatography on a Ni-NTA agarose column. The yield expressed in Escherichia coli was approximately 8 mg/L. ScFv could be labeled with (125)I and its immunoreactivity evaluated in radioassays. Although scFv demonstrated specific binding to H-Tg, the immunoreactivity was low (10.3%) compared to the parental MAb B10IV, which showed immunoreactivity of 37.27%. Inhibition radioassays exhibited that scFv and MAb interact with the same epitope on the target antigen, indicating its specificity.     

Production and characterization of an active single-chain variable fragment antibody recognizing CD25

The alpha subunit of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2Ralpha, CD25) is a potential target in therapeutic approaches for hematolopoietic malignancies expressing CD25 on their cell surface, such as adult T cell leukemia/lymphomas. Recent reports have demonstrated that depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells with anti-CD25 antibodies may enhance host tumor immunity. We previously raised a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb), Ta60b mAb (IgG1kappa), specifically recognizing CD25, and an attempt was made here to produce a single chain Fv fragment (scFv) from this mAb as an initial step to development of scFv-based therapeutics. cDNA fragments encoding for the variable regions of the light and heavy chains of the Ta60b mAb were thus isolated by polymerase chain reaction-mediated cloning, and, an expression vector constructed to express Ta60b scFv fused with the maltose binding protein (MBP) in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. The soluble form of MBP-Ta60b fused scFv could be extracted and affinity-purified with an amylose/agarose column, allowing its immunoreactivity to be analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), mixed hemadsorption assay, and fluorescence activated cell sorting. In addition, binding activity was studied by competitive ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. The results showed that Ta60b scFv obtained from periplasm retains good reactivity, although its KD value was 4-fold lower than that of the whole Ta60b antibody, suggesting possible clinical use for treatment of patients with CD25-expressing tumors and also for enhancing anti-tumor immunity.     

Quantitative spatiotemporal analysis of antibody fragment diffusion and endocytic consumption in tumor spheroids

Antibody-based cancer treatment depends upon distribution of the targeting macromolecule throughout tumor tissue, and spatial heterogeneity could significantly limit efficacy in many cases. Antibody distribution in tumor tissue is a function of drug dosage, antigen concentration, binding affinity, antigen internalization, drug extravasation from blood vessels, diffusion in the tumor extracellular matrix, and systemic clearance rates. We have isolated the effects of a subset of these variables by live-cell microscopic imaging of single-chain antibody fragments against carcinoembryonic antigen in LS174T tumor spheroids. The measured rates of scFv penetration and retention were compared with theoretical predictions based on simple scaling criteria. The theory predicts that antibody dose must be large enough to drive a sufficient diffusive flux of antibody to overcome cellular internalization, and exposure time must be long enough to allow penetration to the spheroid center. The experimental results in spheroids are quantitatively consistent with these predictions. Therefore, simple scaling criteria can be applied to accurately predict antibody and antibody fragment penetration distance in tumor tissue.     

Selective tumor localization of radiolabeled anti-human melanoma monoclonal antibody fragment demonstrated in the nude mouse model

Monoclonal antibodies (Mab) directed against distinct epitopes of the human 240 kD melanoma-associated antigen have been evaluated for their capacity to localize in human melanoma grafted into nude mice. A favorable tumor to normal tissue ratio of 13 was obtained with intact 131I-labeled MAb Me1-14. This ratio was further increased to 43 and 23 by the use of F(ab')2 and Fab fragments, respectively. The specificity of tumor localization was demonstrated by the simultaneous injection of F(ab')2 fragments from MAb Me1-14 and anti-CEA MAb 35, each labeled with a different iodine isotope, into nude mice grafted with a melanoma and colon carcinoma. The fragments from both MAb localized with perfect selectivity in their relevant tumor as shown by differential whole body scanning and by direct measurement of the two isotopes in tumors and normal tissues. These in vivo experimental results suggest that the F(ab')2 fragment from MAb Me1-14 is suitable for melanoma detection by immunoscintigraphy in patients.     

Effect of tumor size on monoclonal antibody uptake in a metastatic model.

We studied the effect of tumor size on monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a murine hepatic model. Intrasplenic injection of HT-29 LMM metastatic human colon cancer cell line reproducibility results in hepatic metastases formation in congenitally athymic mice. HT-29-15, a murine mAb of the IgG1 class reactive with the HT-29 LMM cell line, and BL-3, an isotype-matched control mAb, were labeled with iodine 125. Labeled mAbs were injected intravenously into mice with hepatic metastases. Animals were sacrificed on day 5, and tumor and normal tissue weighed and counted. Specific mAb uptake (percent injected dose per gram, %ID/g) by hepatic metastases (5.16 +/- 3.96) was significantly greater than nonspecific uptake (1.41 +/- 0.42) (P less than 0.001). %ID/g of tumor was dependent upon the mAb used, and was independent of tumor weight; consequently, a linear correlation between tumor weight and total uptake (%ID) for specific mAb (r = 0.88, P less than 0.0001) and nonspecific mAb (r = 0.99, P less than 0.0001) administration was demonstrated. We have shown both specific and nonspecific mAb uptake per gram of tumor to be a constant for the given mAb/tumor system and with uptake of mAb to be linearly related to tumor weight.     

Effect of intraperitoneal injection volume and antibody protein dose on the pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneally administered IgG2a kappa murine monoclonal antibody in the rat

The i.p. route of antibody administration offers a regional delivery advantage to the peritoneal cavity. In an effort to optimize this method of delivery, the volume of i.p. injection and total protein dose were examined for their effect on the absorption and disposition of an IgG2a kappa murine monoclonal antibody. 5G6.4, administered i.p. Normal rats (Sprague-Dawley) were given one of two protein doses (1-2 or 100 micrograms) of 125I-5G6.4 in a 2.0-ml i.p. injection volume. In both cases the same radiation dose (approximately 20 mu Ci/rat) was administered since only the tracer level (1-2 micrograms) was labeled. Hence, the 100-micrograms dose consisted of approximately 2 micrograms of labeled antibody with 98 micrograms of unlabeled antibody. In a separate experiment, two i.p. injection volumes (2.0 or 20.0 ml) of 125I-5G6.4 (approximately 20 mu Ci/rat) were administered to normal Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacokinetic modeling of the whole blood radioactivity levels was undertaken for both groups. The liver, kidney, muscle, lung, diaphragm, and anterior mediastinal lymph nodes were excised upon sacrifice and tissue levels at sacrifice were recorded. The volume of i.p. injection is shown to be a significant factor with respect to i.p. transport. Maximum concentration in the blood, Cmax, was reduced (P less than 0.1) and time of maximum concentration, tCmax was prolonged (P less than 0.05) from 8.4 h (in the 2-ml group) to 14.5 h (in the 20-ml group). Both contribute to a modest reduction in AUC(0----infinity) (P less than 0.15) in which AUC is the area under the concentration-time curve. The increase in blood clearance, Clb, at the higher injection volume (0.287 ml/h for the 20-ml volume and 0.194 ml/h for the 2-ml volume) is presumably due to increased diuresis resulting from autoregulation of fluid removal via lymphatic drainage. Volume of distribution, Vd, is increased since Vd and Clb are functionally proportionate and elimination is assumed constant. Tissue levels at sacrifice, except for the thyroid and anterior mediastinal lymph nodes, were the same. Mean thyroid levels were reduced in the 20-ml group (P less than 0.05) by 22.5%, likely as a result of increased diuresis. Increased nodal uptake (P less than 0.01) can be attributed to the dilution effect of the bolus injection. The rate of mass transfer is greater for the 2-ml group up to 4 h postinjection. Subsequently, the mass transfer rate is greater for the 20-ml group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

131碘标记肝癌单抗片段介入治疗原发性肝癌的临床毒副作用观察

目的 观察^131碘标记肝癌单抗片段介入治疗原发性肝癌的临床毒副作用。方法采用股动脉插管介入治疗方法对25例原发性肝癌患者进行42人次的^131碘标记肝癌单抗片段的导向治疗，分别于治疗前以及治疗后7天、28天、36天、57天观察血常规、尿常规、肝功、肾功、甲功，并进行统计分析。结果治疗前后各项指标变化较小。结论通过介入方法临床应用^131碘标记肝癌单抗片段治疗原发性肝癌，方法安全无明显毒副作用。     

抗人肺癌噬菌体展示可溶性ScFv的筛选与鉴定及其序列测定

目的:制备抗人肺癌单链抗体(single chain Fv ferment antibody,ScFv),并对抗体生物学特性进行初步研究.方法:以人肺腺癌细胞系A2为抗原,对5 F-11杂交瘤细胞噬茵体抗体库进行富集和筛选.以人肺腺癌细胞系A2和正常人淋巴细胞为抗原,进行酶联免疫吸附试验,从富集后的噬菌体抗体库中筛选出只与A2细胞结合的阳性克隆.筛选的噬茵体克隆转染大肠埃希茵HB2151,得到可溶性单链抗体分泌克隆.可溶性抗体分泌克隆测序.应用 ELISA、竞争性ELISA、SDS-PAGE及蛋白质印迹法对其中的2A7-1克隆进行初步鏊定.结果:以肺腺癌细胞A2为抗原进行了4轮富集.进一步筛选得到18个仅识别A2细胞而与人淋巴细胞无反应的融合抗体分泌克隆.转染大肠埃希茵HB2151后筛选到能与A2细胞特异结合的可溶性抗体分泌克隆2A7-1.竞争性ELISA结果显示,5F-11能强烈抑制2A7-1与A2细胞的结合.SDS-PAGE蛋白质印迹法显示得到大小约为30×103的单链抗体.结论:通过噬菌体抗体技术成功分离到了鼠单抗5F-11的可溶性ScFv分泌克隆,为进一步的抗体应用研究奠定了基础.     

Noninvasive localization of tumors by immunofluorescence imaging using a single chain Fv fragment of a human monoclonal antibody with broad cancer specificity

BACKGROUND: A single chain antibody fragment, NovoMAb-G2-scFv, derived from a human anti-tumor monoclonal antibody recognizes tumor antigen molecules expressed on a wide variety of human cancers including melanoma, breast carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, lung carcinoma, and prostate carcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate the use of a NovoMab-G2-scFv/cyanine fluorochrome (Cy5.5.18) conjugate as diagnostic tool for in vivo imaging of tumors. METHODS: The NovoMab-G2-scFv-Cy5 complex was administered to athymic mice injected subcutaneously with human melanoma tumor cells, and the distribution of fluorescence was imaged noninvasively using a charge-coupled device camera. Images were acquired 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injection. RESULTS: Fluorescence was detected at the tumor site after injection of NovoMab-G2-scFv-Cy5 but not after injection of a labeled irrelevant control antibody fragment. Fluorescence from the tumor site peaked 2 hours after injection and gradually declined, reaching a minimum 72 hours after injection. Fluorescence was also apparent in the kidneys, indicating clearance of the complex through the kidneys. Results suggest that 16% and 73% of the antibody is located in the tumor and kidneys, respectively. Imaging of isolated organs confirmed the presence of the NovoMab-G2-scFv-Cy5 complex in tumors, kidneys, and liver. No fluorescence was observed in other organs. CONCLUSIONS: Specific binding of the antibody-dye complex to the tumor was observed, and the kinetics of binding to tumors and kidneys were determined. These results suggest that the NovoMab-G2-scFv-Cy5.5 complex may be used for noninvasive tumor localization.     

Single chain fragment anti-heparan sulfate antibody targets the polyamine transport system and attenuates polyamine-dependent cell proliferation

The growth-promoting polyamines are polybasic compounds that efficiently enter cancer cells by as yet incompletely defined mechanisms. Strategies to inhibit their internalization may have important implications in the management of tumor disease. Here, we show that cellular binding and uptake of polyamines are inhibited by a single chain variable fragment anti-heparan sulfate (HS) antibody. Polyamine uptake was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, and was associated with compensatory up-regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), i.e. the key enzyme of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. Conversely, depletion of intracellular polyamines by the specific ODC-inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) resulted in increased cellular binding of polyamine and anti-HS antibody. Importantly, anti-HS antibody also efficiently targeted DFMO-induced polyamine uptake, and combined polyamine biosynthesis inhibition by DFMO, and uptake inhibition by anti-HS antibody attenuated tumor cell proliferation in vitro. In conclusion, cell-surface HS proteoglycan is a relevant target for antibody-mediated inhibition of the uptake of polyamines, and polyamine-dependent cell proliferation.     

Phase I clinical trial of the (131)I-labeled anticarcinoembryonic antigen CIGB-M3 multivalent antibody fragment

Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB)-M3 is a trivalent recombinant single-chain Fv antibody fragment specific for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Preclinical studies with radiolabeled CIGB-M3 have showed that the antibody fragment accumulates in human colon tumor xenografts growing in nude mice. A Phase I clinical trial was carried out to determine safety, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of the radiolabeled CIGB-M3 in two groups of patients with CEA+ colorectal cancers. Group I (10 patients) received a single intravenous injection of 0.3 mg of (131)I-CIGB-M3 (16.7-23.3 mCi/mg). Group II (7 patients) received 1 mg (5-7 mCi/mg). No adverse events related to the injected product were recorded, and no immunology response was detected up to 6 months after the injection. Tumors were detected in 15 of the 17 studied cases. The pharmacokinetic profile showed beta half-times of 14.1 and 6.3 hours for Groups I and II, respectively. Seventy-two (72) hours after the administration of the product, 85% of the total injected activity was excreted in urine in the form of free (131)I. The kidneys were identified as the organs that can limit the maximum tolerated dose. The (131)I-CIGB-M3 was safe in patients with colorectal cancer. The biodistribution and pharmacokinetic data suggest that the product can be further tested for molecular radiotherapy of CEA+tumors.     

Radiosensitization of human tumor cell lines induced by the adenovirus-mediated expression of an anti-Ras single-chain antibody fragment.

The expression of activated ras genes has been implicated as a contributing factor to the radioresistance of tumor cells. As a strategy for compromising Ras protein activity and potentially enhancing the radiosensitivity of tumor cells, we have investigated the application of the AV1Y28 adenovirus, which expresses a single-chain antibody fragment directed against p21 Ras proteins. The ability of AV1Y28 transduction to modulate radioresponse was investigated using four human tumor cell lines--U251 glioblastoma, MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic carcinoma, and the colon carcinomas SW620 and HT29. Cultures were exposed to sufficient levels of AV1Y28 to transduce more than 90% of the cells; 24 h later, cultures were exposed to ionizing radiation, and clonogenic cell survival was determined. Tumor cell survival was reduced by 40-50% when the tumor cell lines were exposed to AV1Y28 only. In addition, for each tumor cell line, AV1Y28 exposure enhanced the level of radiation-induced cell killing. Dose enhancement factors at a surviving fraction of 0.1 ranged from 1.3 to 1.5. Furthermore, for each of the cell lines, the surviving fraction at 2 Gy was significantly reduced by AV1Y28 exposure. In contrast to the results seen in tumor cells, the radiosensitivity of a normal human fibroblast cell line was not affected by AV1Y28. These data indicate that this anti-Ras adenovirus enhances the radiosensitivity of tumor cells but does not affect the radiosensitivity of normal cells.     

Disruption of P-glycoprotein anticancer drug efflux activity by a small recombinant single-chain Fv antibody fragment targeted to an extracellular epitope

Inherent and acquired MDR is characterized by simultaneous resistance to diverse anticancer drugs and continues to be a major impediment in the curative chemotherapy of cancer. The MDR1 gene product, Pgp, is an ATP-driven efflux pump, which extrudes a variety of dissimilar hydrophobic cytotoxic compounds from MDR cells. Pgp overexpression results in MDR of tumor cell lines in vitro as well as of a variety of human malignancies. Thus, one major goal is to develop strategies aimed at specifically disrupting Pgp drug-efflux activity. To this end, we have developed a small recombinant antibody capable of potent reversal of MDR, by disrupting Pgp drug-efflux activity. Using a phage display approach, we isolated a small scFv recombinant antibody fragment that specifically reacts with the first extracellular loop of human Pgp. This scFv fragment binds specifically to various Pgp-overexpressing human MDR carcinoma cell lines, consequently disrupts Pgp drug-efflux function and thereby reverses the MDR phenotype. We have successfully disrupted anticancer drug-extrusion pump activity in MDR cells using a small recombinant scFv fragment. We propose that these novel small Fv-based recombinant antibody molecules may lead to the development of a new class of antibody fragment-based agents that specifically inhibit Pgp drug extrusion. Hence, these small recombinant antibody fragments may be applied in combination chemotherapy to overcome MDR in various human cancers.     

Synergistic therapeutic effects of a tumor targeting antibody fragment,fused to interleukin 12 and to tumor necrosis factor alpha

The potent antitumor activity of certain cytokines is often achieved at the expense of unacceptable toxicity. One avenue to improve the therapeutic index of cytokines in cancer therapy consists of fusing them to monoclonal antibodies capable of a selective localization at the tumor site. We have constructed fusion proteins of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) with L19, an antibody fragment specific to the extradomain B of fibronectin which has been shown to target tumors in animal models and in patients with cancer. These fusions display a potent antitumor activity in several immunocompetent murine models of cancer but do not lead to complete remissions of established aggressive tumors. In this article, we have evaluated the tumor-targeting properties and the anticancer activities of combinations of the two antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, as well as of a triple fusion protein between IL-12, L19, and TNF-alpha. Although all fusion proteins were active in vitro, the triple fusion protein failed to localize to tumors in vivo and to show significant therapeutic effects. By contrast, the combination of IL-12-L19 and L19-TNF-alpha displayed potent synergistic anticancer activity and led to the eradication of F9 teratocarcinomas grafted in immunocompetent mice. When cured mice were rechallenged with tumor cells, a delayed onset of tumor growth was observed, indicating the induction of a partial antitumor vaccination effect. Potent anticancer effects were achieved at doses of IL-12-L19 and L19-TNF-alpha (2 micro g + 2 micro g/mouse), which were at least 5-fold lower than the maximal-tolerated dose. The combined administration of the two fusion proteins showed only a modest increase in toxicity, compared with treatments performed with the individual fusion proteins. These results show that the targeted delivery of cytokines to the tumor environment strongly potentiates their antitumor activity and that the combination treatment with IL-12-L19 and L19-TNF-alpha appears to be synergistic in vivo.