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Cure of established GL261 mouse gliomas after combined immunotherapy with GM‐CSF and IFNγ is mediated by both CD8 + and CD4 + T‐cells
Author(s) -
Smith Karin Enell,
Fritzell Sara,
Badn Wiaam,
Eberstål Sofia,
Janelidze Shorena,
Visse Edward,
Darabi Anna,
Siesjö Peter
Publication year - 2008
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.23986
Subject(s) - immunotherapy , cytotoxic t cell , cd8 , immunology , glioma , cancer research , granzyme b , myeloid , t cell , granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor , medicine , immune system , antigen , tumor antigen , cytokine , biology , in vitro , biochemistry
We were the first to demonstrate that combined immunotherapy with GM‐CSF producing GL261 cells and recombinant IFNγ of preestablished GL261 gliomas could cure 90% of immunized mice. To extend these findings and to uncover the underlying mechanisms, the ensuing experiments were undertaken. We hypothesized that immunizations combining both GM‐CSF and IFNγ systemically would increase the number of immature myeloid cells, which then would mature and differentiate into dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, thereby augmenting tumor antigen presentation and T‐cell activation. Indeed, the combined therapy induced a systemic increase of both immature and mature myeloid cells but also an increase in T regulatory cells (T‐regs). Cytotoxic anti‐tumor responses, mirrored by an increase in Granzyme B‐positive cells as well as IFNγ‐producing T‐cells, were augmented after immunizations with GM‐CSF and IFNγ. We also show that the combined therapy induced a long‐term memory with rejection of intracerebral (i.c.) rechallenges. Depletion of T‐cells showed that both CD4 + and CD8 + T‐cells were essential for the combined GM‐CSF and IFNγ effect. Finally, when immunizations were delayed until day 5 after tumor inoculation, only mice receiving immunotherapy with both GM‐CSF and IFNγ survived. We conclude that the addition of recombinant IFNγ to immunizations with GM‐CSF producing tumor cells increased the number of activated tumoricidal T‐cells, which could eradicate established intracerebral tumors. These results clearly demonstrate that the combination of cytokines in immunotherapy of brain tumors have synergistic effects that have implications for clinical immunotherapy of human malignant brain tumors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.