Tumor-promoting versus tumor-antagonizing roles of γδ T cells in cancer immunotherapy: results from a prospective phase I/II trial

J Immunother. 2012 Feb-Mar;35(2):205-13. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e318245bb1e.

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates have direct and indirect anticancer effects including immunomodulatory effects. Using in vivo targeting of bisphosphonate-reactive γδ T cells by adding low-dose interleukin-2 to zoledronic acid, we evaluated the safety, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of this immunotherapy approach in 21 adults with advanced malignancies (renal cell carcinoma [RCC], malignant melanoma, and acute myeloid leukemia). A total of 58 treatment cycles were administered and the median number of treatment cycles was 2.7 (range, 1 to 6). The regimen was well tolerated, with no grade 3 to 4 drug-related adverse events, except for fever. No objective responses were observed in both cohorts of solid tumors (RCC and malignant melanoma), whereas 2 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (25%) achieved objective tumor responses (partial remission). Pharmacodynamic analyses showed significant in vivo activation (interferon-γ production) and expansion of γδ T cells in all evaluable patients. High pretreatment serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and an unexpected increase in VEGF induced by zoledronic acid plus low-dose interleukin-2 were correlated with the lack of a clinical response. In conclusion, this study indicates that immunotherapy-induced VEGF can limit clinical innate tumor immune responses, especially for angiogenesis-dependent solid tumors. Our data challenge the current cellular immunotherapy paradigms in the treatment of cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / immunology
  • Cell Separation
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Diphosphonates / administration & dosage
  • Diphosphonates / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Imidazoles / adverse effects
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage
  • Interleukin-2 / adverse effects
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms / immunology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / immunology
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Zoledronic Acid

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Diphosphonates
  • Imidazoles
  • Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Zoledronic Acid