The aggressiveness of murine lymphomas selected in vivo by growth rate correlates with galectin-1 expression and response to cyclophosphamide

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2012 Apr;61(4):469-80. doi: 10.1007/s00262-011-1114-3. Epub 2011 Sep 27.

Abstract

Although lymphomas account for almost half of blood-derived cancers that are diagnosed each year, the causes of new cases are poorly understood, as reflected by the relatively few risk factors established. Galectin-1, an immunoregulatory ß-galactoside-binding protein, has been widely associated with tumor-immune escape. The aim of the present work was to study the relationship between tumor growth rate, aggressiveness, and response to cyclophosphamide (Cy) therapy with regard to Gal-1 expression in murine T-cell lymphoma models. By means of a disruptive selection process for tumor growth rate, we generated two lymphoma variants from a parental T-cell lymphoma, which have unique characteristics in terms of tumor growth rate, spontaneous regression, metastatic capacity, Gal-1 expression and sensitivity to Cy therapy. Here, we show that Gal-1 expression strongly correlates with tumor growth rate, metastatic capacity and response to single-dose Cy therapy in T-cell lymphoma models; this association might have important consequences for evaluating prognosis and treatments of this type of tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Galectin 1 / genetics
  • Galectin 1 / immunology
  • Galectin 1 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Galectin 1
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Cyclophosphamide