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Natural killer (NK) cell function is a strong prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma patients treated with the monoclonal antibody 17‐1A
Author(s) -
Liljefors Maria,
Nilsson Bo,
Hjelm Skog AnnaLena,
Ragnhammar Peter,
Mellstedt Håkan,
Frödin JanErik
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.11139
Subject(s) - antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity , cytotoxicity , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , monoclonal antibody , natural killer cell , medicine , immunology , cytotoxic t cell , antibody , cancer research , k562 cells , immune system , oncology , biology , in vitro , leukemia , biochemistry
Abstract Tumor cells might be susceptible to different effector functions of the immune system. This cytotoxic capacity has been utilized to analyze the prognostic significance of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC) treated with the monoclonal antibody (MAb)17‐1A. Such analysis might form the basis for future patient selection and may lead to improvements in therapeutic strategies. Between 1986 and 1998, 73 patients were treated with regimens containing MAb17‐1A. Prior to therapy, the lytic capability of PBMC was assayed against: K562 (4 hr assay), the CRC cell line SW948 (4 hr and 18 hr assays) and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC, 18 hr assay). Since the study was performed over 13 years, the assays were checked for time‐related bias. Reproducibility over time was satisfactory. Patients exhibited a significantly higher cytotoxic capability in all 4 assays compared to healthy control donors. No correlation to clinical outcome was noted for 18 hr ADCC and 18 hr spontaneous cytotoxicity. Pretreatment natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity (K562) was significantly related to overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and response rate. OS for patients with high and low NK cell cytotoxicity was 71 vs. 30 weeks, respectively ( p = 0.007). NK cell cytotoxicity (K562) was an independent prognostic factor for OS ( p = 0.016). Pretreatment NK cell activity is a strong prognostic factor for patients with metastatic CRC receiving MAb17‐1A therapy and is a predictor for OS, PFS and response. These results should be considered when designing antibody‐based therapeutic protocols. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.