Translational strategies exploiting TNF-alpha that sensitize tumors to radiation therapy

Cancer Gene Ther. 2009 Apr;16(4):373-81. doi: 10.1038/cgt.2008.86. Epub 2008 Oct 31.

Abstract

TNFerade is a radioinducible adenoviral vector expressing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (Ad.Egr-TNF) currently in a phase III trial for inoperable pancreatic cancer. We studied B16-F1 melanoma tumors in TNF receptor wild-type (C57BL/6) and deficient (TNFR1,2-/- and TNFR1-/-) mice. Ad.Egr-TNF+IR inhibited tumor growth compared with IR in C57BL/6 but not in receptor-deficient mice. Tumors resistant to TNF-alpha were also sensitive to Ad.Egr-TNF+IR in C57BL/6 mice. Ad.Egr-TNF+IR produced an increase in tumor-associated endothelial cell apoptosis not observed in receptor-deficient animals. Also, B16-F1 tumors in mice with germline deletions of TNFR1,2, TNFR1 or TNF-alpha, or in mice receiving anti-TNF-alpha exhibited radiosensitivity. These results show that tumor-associated endothelium is the principal target for Ad.Egr-TNF radiosensitization and implicate TNF-alpha signaling in tumor radiosensitivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Etanercept
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / deficiency
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / deficiency
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*
  • X-Ray Therapy*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Etanercept