Targeted therapy of renal cell carcinoma: synergistic activity of cG250-TNF and IFNg

Int J Cancer. 2009 Jul 1;125(1):115-23. doi: 10.1002/ijc.24359.

Abstract

Immunotherapeutic targeting of G250/Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA-IX) represents a promising strategy for treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The well characterized human-mouse chimeric G250 (cG250) antibody has been shown in human studies to specifically enrich in CA-IX positive tumors and was chosen as a carrier for site specific delivery of TNF in form of our IgG-TNF-fusion protein (cG250-TNF) to RCC xenografts. Genetically engineered TNF constructs were designed as CH2/CH3 truncated cG250-TNF fusion proteins and eucariotic expression was optimized under serum-free conditions. In-vitro characterization of cG250-TNF comprised biochemical analysis and bioactivity assays, alone and in combination with Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). Biodistribution data on radiolabeled [(125)J] cG250-TNF and antitumor activity of cG250-TNF, alone and in combination with IFNgamma, were measured on RCC xenografts in BALB/c nu/nu mice. Combined administration of cG250-TNF and IFNgamma caused synergistic biological effects that represent key mechanisms displaying antitumor responses. Biodistribution studies demonstrated specific accumulation and retention of cG250-TNF at CA-IX-positive RCC resulting in growth inhibition of RCC and improved progression free survival and overall survival. Antitumor activity induced by targeted TNF-based constructs could be enhanced by coadministration of low doses of nontargeted IFNgamma without significant increase in side effects. Administration of cG250-TNF and IFNgamma resulted in significant synergistic tumoricidal activity. Considering the poor outcome of renal cancer patients with advanced disease, cG250-TNF-based immunotherapeutic approaches warrant clinical evaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / pharmacokinetics
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / therapy*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacokinetics
  • Interferon-gamma / therapeutic use*
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / immunology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacokinetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Umbilical Veins / drug effects
  • Umbilical Veins / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • G250 monoclonal antibody
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma