Anti-4-1BB scFv immunogene therapy and low dose cyclophosphamide exhibit a synergistic antitumor effect in established murine lung tumors

Cancer Biol Ther. 2009 Apr;8(8):707-13. doi: 10.4161/cbt.8.8.7916.

Abstract

T-cell costimulatory molecules such as 4-1BB may provide a distinct and important signal for promoting positive immune regulation. 4-1BB is thought to have potential use as a cancer immunotherapeutic drug. In our previous study, a nonreplicative adenovirus (Ad.4-1BB scFv) carrying single-chain Fv fragments (scFv) specific for the 4-1BB gene (anti-4-1BB scFv) possessed remarkable in vivo anti-hepatoma efficacy. However, monotherapy achieved by triggering 4-1BB signaling was not sufficient to induce eradicative antitumor activities in low immunogenic tumors. It is of great interest to explore any possible synergistic antitumor effect of 4-1BB signaling combined with low dose cyclophosphamide (CTX), which is well documented to inhibit the suppressive capability of regulatory T-cells in mice and humans. In the present study, recombinant nonreplicative adenoviruses carrying an anti-4-1BB scFv gene were generated, characterized and explored for their stimulation of antilung tumor (TC-1) immunity in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. Compared to adenovirus and cyclophosphamide alone, adenovirus-mediated anti-4-1BB scFv in combination with low dose CTX treatment could obviously augment the antitumor activity, in which some established TC-1 tumors were eradicated and the survival of mice was significantly extended. This synergistic antitumor effect could be largely attributed to the depletion of T regulatory cells induced by low dose CTX. These findings may provide a new and promising strategy for immunogene therapy against cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-1BB Ligand / genetics*
  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / therapeutic use*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • 4-1BB Ligand
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Cyclophosphamide