Interleukin-4 receptor cytotoxin as therapy for human malignant pleural mesothelioma xenografts (original) (raw)

Complete regression of established human glioblastoma tumor xenograft by interleukin-4 toxin therapy

Cancer research, 1998

No curative therapy is available for malignant gliomas. We have discovered that human glioblastoma cells express high affinity interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R), which is an attractive target for receptor-directed IL-4 toxin therapy. The IL-4 toxin, IL-4(38-37)-PE38KDEL, is a fusion protein containing translocation and enzymatic domains of Pseudomonas exotoxin and a circularly permuted human IL-4. The IL-4 toxin binds specifically to the IL-4R and is highly cytotoxic to glioblastoma cells, as determined by clonogenic and protein synthesis inhibition assays. Intratumoral administration of the IL-4 toxin given on alternate days for 3-4 doses into U251 glioblastoma flank tumors in nude mice, showed a complete remission of small (approximately 13 mm3) and large (approximately 60 mm3) tumors in all animals, without any evidence of toxicity. A significant antitumor activity was also observed when the IL-4 toxin was administered via i.p. and i.v. routes. These results demonstrate that the IL-...

In situ expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptors in human brain tumors and cytotoxicity of a recombinant IL-4 cytotoxin in primary glioblastoma cell cultures

Cancer Research

We have reported that human malignant glioma cell lines express high levels of plasma membrane interleukin-4 receptors (IL-4R). We have also reported that biopsy/surgical samples or primary explant cell cultures from brain tumors express mRNA and protein for the IL-4R␣ chain, a primary IL-4-binding protein. However, whether IL-4R are expressed in brain tumors in situ has not been resolved. In addition, expression of IL-4R on the cell surface of various normal brain tissues is not known. We examined the expression of IL-4R by using a monoclonal antibody to the IL-4R␣ chain (also known as IL-4R ␤) in surgical/biopsy samples of brain tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. Our data indicate that 15 of 18 glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs) tumors obtained from two different institutions and 12 other brain tumor samples are moderately to intensely positive for IL-4R␣. In contrast, although IL-4R␣ mRNA was expressed, no IL-4R protein was detectable in two adult and one pediatric brain tissue specimens. In addition, a commercially available human neural tissue grid containing fixed tissues from various areas of brain showed no positive staining for the IL-4R␣ chain. IL-4R␣ expression was also demonstrated on astrocytoma grades I, II, and III. Because IL-4 cytotoxin comprised of a circularly permutated IL-4 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin [IL4(38-37)-PE38KDEL] is cytotoxic to IL-4R-expressing cells, we tested whether primary GBM explant cell cultures are sensitive to IL-4 cytotoxin. Our data indicate that 13 of 15 GBM cell cultures were 25-74 times more sensitive to IL-4 cytotoxin compared with normal human astrocytes or the NT2 neuronal cell line. These observations indicate that human brain tumors in situ overexpress IL-4R compared with normal brain tissues, thus confirming our previous conclusions that IL-4R in brain tumors may serve as an attractive target for anticancer therapy.

Tumor cells expressing membrane-bound form of IL-4 induce antitumor immunity

Gene Therapy, 2000

Local cytokine concentrations are required for inhibition of tumor growth with less toxic side-effects. However, genetically engineered tumor cells secreting cytokines still induce toxicity and activate bystander cells. To circumvent such problems, membrane-bound forms of IL-4 (IL-4m) were expressed on MethA fibrosarcoma tumor cells. Chimeric forms of IL-4 with the type I transmembrane protein CD4 or type II transmembrane protein TNF were designed to express IL-4 in opposite orientations on the tumor cell surface. The IL-4m on tumor clones was able to support cell growth of the IL-4 dependent cytotoxic cell line (CT.4S) and

A Review of Studies on Targeting Interleukin 4 Receptor for Central Nervous System Malignancy

Current Molecular Medicine, 2009

Despite advances in biomedical sciences, the prognosis of patients with brain tumors remains poor. Effective treatment is lacking for these central nervous system (CNS) cancers. Targeted immunotoxins are a new class of therapeutic approaches that have emerged for the treatment of human cancers. In this approach, tumor antigen or cell surface receptor is targeted by a chimeric fusion protein consisting of an antibody or a ligand and a suicidal gene or toxin to kill tumor cells. In that regard, receptors for interleukin (IL)-4 (IL-4R) have been identified to be overexpressed on a variety of human CNS tumor cell lines and tissue samples including meningioma. In various studies, high grade brain tumor specimens and malignant brain tumor cell lines have been shown to overexpress high-affinity IL-4R, while normal brain samples or cell lines expressed lower levels of these receptors. The structures of IL-4R on CNS tumors have been studied, which demonstrate that these cells express predominantly type II IL-4R. These receptors are functional as IL-4 can cause signal transduction, inhibit growth of some tumor cell lines and increase expression of major histocompatibility antigens and intracellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) on some tumor cells lines. To target IL-4R, a chimeric fusion protein composed of IL-4 and truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin has been developed. This cytotoxin is highly cytotoxic to IL-4R positive tumors in vitro and has been reported to be highly effective in preclinical animal model of human brain cancer. Several Phase I/II clinical trials for treatment of IL-4R positive cancers have been completed. This review article will summarize pre-clinical and clinical development of IL-4PE cytotoxin. # Present address:

Interleukin 4 Receptor on Human Lung Cancer

2002

Previous studies have demonstrated that human lung tumor cell lines express interleukin 4 (IL-4) receptors, and IL-4 can mediate modest to moderate antiproliferative activity in vitro and in vivo in animal models of human lung tumors. On the basis of these studies, IL-4 was tested in clinical trials; however, it showed little antitumor activity in lung cancer patients. In the present study, we examined the expression of IL-4 receptors (IL-4Rs) in lung tumor samples and normal lung tissues and tested whether an IL-4R targeted agent will have better antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared with IL-4. IL-4R expression was tested by immunohistochemistry in 54 lung tumor samples and normal lung tissues in a tissue array, by reverse-transcription PCR and Northern blot analyses in lung tumor cell lines. Cytotoxic activity of IL-4 cytotoxin [IL-4(38-37)-PE38KDEL], composed of a circular permuted IL-4 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38KDEL) was tested by protein synthesis inhibition and clonogenic assays in seven lung tumor cell lines. Antitumor activity of IL-4 cytotoxin was tested in vitro and in immunodeficient animal models of human lung tumors. We observed that IL-4Rs are expressed at higher levels in situ in lung tumor samples compared with normal lung tissues and IL-4 cytotoxin is highly and specifically cytotoxic to lung tumor cell lines in vitro. Intratumoral and i.p. administration of IL-4 cytotoxin to immunodeficient mice with s.c. established human lung H358 non-small cell lung cancer tumors mediated considerable antitumor activity in a dosedependent manner with the higher dose producing durable complete responses. On the other hand, H460 non-small cell lung cancer tumors expressing low levels of IL-4R did not respond to IL-4 cytotoxin therapy. Because IL-4 cytotoxin mediates its antitumor activity through IL-4R, and a variety of lung tumors expressed high levels of IL-4R, we propose testing the safety of this agent in patients with lung cancer.

Interleukin 4 receptor on human lung cancer: a molecular target for cytotoxin therapy

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 2002

Previous studies have demonstrated that human lung tumor cell lines express interleukin 4 (IL-4) receptors, and IL-4 can mediate modest to moderate antiproliferative activity in vitro and in vivo in animal models of human lung tumors. On the basis of these studies, IL-4 was tested in clinical trials; however, it showed little antitumor activity in lung cancer patients. In the present study, we examined the expression of IL-4 receptors (IL-4Rs) in lung tumor samples and normal lung tissues and tested whether an IL-4R targeted agent will have better antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared with IL-4. IL-4R expression was tested by immunohistochemistry in 54 lung tumor samples and normal lung tissues in a tissue array, by reverse-transcription PCR and Northern blot analyses in lung tumor cell lines. Cytotoxic activity of IL-4 cytotoxin [IL-4(38-37)-PE38KDEL], composed of a circular permuted IL-4 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38KDEL) was tested by protein synthes...

Expression of high-affinity IL-4 receptors on human melanoma, ovarian and breast carcinoma cells

Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 2008

It has previously been shown that murine sarcoma cells express high-affinity IL-4 receptors (IL-4R) which are internalized after binding to the ligand (Puri et al., Cancer Res 1991; 51:3011-7). We have also reported that human renal cell carcinoma cells express high-affinity IL-4R, and IL-4 inhibits tumour growth in vitro (Obiri et al., J Clin Invest 1993; 91:88). In this study we investigated the expression and function of IL-4R on other human solid tumours. Human melanoma, ovarian carcinoma and breast carcinoma cell lines were assessed for the cell surface expression of IL-4R by radio-ligand receptor binding and for IL-4R gene expression by Northern blot analysis. Primary cultures of mesothelioma and neurofibrosarcoma cells were similarly investigated. Human melanoma, ovarian carcinoma and breast carcinoma cell lines expressed IL-4R on their cell surface with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 140-549 pM. These tumour lines expressed a single 4 kb species of mRNA for IL-4R. Similarly, primary cultures of mesothelioma and neurofibrosarcoma cells were positive for the IL-4R mRNA by Northern blot analysis. Fresh, non-cultured mesothelioma and neurofibrosarcoma tumour sections were also positive for the presence of IL-4R as determined by immunohistochemistry of frozen sections using anti-IL-4R antibody. In order to study possible functions of IL-4R, we evaluated the effects of IL-4 on cell growth and its effect on MHC antigen expression in the presence or absence of interferon-gamma (IFN-y). In tissue culture, IL-4 reduced the growth of tumour cell lines and primary cell cultures studied. IL-4 had very little effect on MHC class I antigen expression on ovarian, breast and melanoma cell lines; however, MHC class II (HLA-DR) expression was enhanced on melanoma and breast carcinoma cells. IL-4 also enhanced the IFN-y-induced class II expression on melanoma and breast carcinoma cells. Taken together, our observations indicate that IL-4R are expressed on a variety of human solid tumours and these receptors may be functional. IL-4 alone and in combination with IFN-y may play a role in host immune response against cancers.

Involvement of the M-CSF/IL-34/CSF-1R pathway in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 2020

BackgroundMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer related to asbestos exposure. The tumor microenvironment content, particularly the presence of macrophages, was described as crucial for the development of the disease. This work aimed at studying the involvement of the M-CSF (CSF-1)/IL-34/CSF-1R pathway in the formation of macrophages in MPM, using samples from patients.MethodsPleural effusions (PEs), frozen tumors, primary MPM cells and MPM cell lines used in this study belong to biocollections associated with clinical databases. Cytokine expressions were studied using real-time PCR and ELISA. The Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to confirm our results on an independent cohort. An original three-dimensional (3D) coculture model including MPM cells, monocytes from healthy donors and a tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8 T cell clone was used.ResultsWe observed that high interleukin (IL)-34 levels in PE were significantly associated with a shorter s...

The Immune System of Mesothelioma Patients: A Window of Opportunity for Novel Immunotherapies

IntechOpen eBooks, 2021

The interplay between the immune system and the pleural mesothelium is crucial both for the development of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and for the response of MPM patients to therapy. MPM is heavily infiltrated by several immune cell types which affect the progression of the disease. The presence of organized tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) witness the attempt to fight the disease in situ by adaptive immunity which is often suppressed by tumor expressed factors. In rare patients physiological, pharmacological or vaccine-induced immune response is efficient, rendering their plasma a valuable resource of antitumor immune cells and molecules. Of particular interest are human antibodies targeting antigens at the tumor cell surface. Here we review current knowledge regarding MPM immune infiltration, MPM immunotherapy and the harnessing of this response to identify novel biologics as biomarkers and therapeutics through innovative screening strategies.

Treatment with interleukin-2 in malignant pleural mesothelioma: immunological and angiogenetic assessment and prognostic impact

British Journal of Cancer, 2009

BACKGROUND: Administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) has shown some effects on malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumour regression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of IL-2 to modify immunological effector cells and angiogenesis in MPM patients and their prognostic value. METHODS: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, Foxp3), mast cells (MCs) (tryptase and chymase), microvessel count (MVC) and VEGF were determined by immunohistochemistry in two series of MPM patients: 60 patients treated with intra-pleural preoperative IL-2 and 33 patients untreated. RESULTS: Tryptase MCs, and CD8 and Foxp3 lymphocytes were significantly increased in the IL-2-treated group, whereas MVC was significantly lower in the same group. Moreover, in the IL-2-treated group, greater tryptase þ MCs and greater Foxp3 lymphocytes were associated with improved and poorer clinical outcomes, respectively. Notably, when these two immunological parameters were combined, they predicted outcomes more effectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that IL-2 treatment leads to a significant increase of immunological parameters, concomitantly with a reduction in vasculature, providing new insight into the cancer mechanisms mediated by IL-2. Moreover, these results suggest that tryptase-positive MCs and Foxp3 þ lymphocytes predict clinical outcomes in IL-2-treated patients, highlighting the critical role of the inflammatory response in mesothelioma cancer progression.