Cytokine gene transfer as a therapeutic strategy

Poulam M. Patel, Claudia L. Flemming, Stephen J. Russell, Suzanne A. Eccles, Mary K.L. Collins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cytokine gene therapy for cancer could involve either the direct delivery of cytokine genes to established tumours to stimulate their rejection or the injection of cytokine-secreting tumour cells to stimulate an immune response that could reduce metastatic disease. To assess the feasibility of the first approach, we have compared the ability of different cytokine-secreting tumour cells to induce the rejection of admixed, unmodified cells. While interleukin (IL)-2- or interleukin-4-secreting tumour cells were ineffective, interferon- γ (IFN-γ)-secreting cells could induce rejection of 10% admixed, unmodified cells. Because direct gene delivery to tumours is unlikely to be 100% efficient, these data suggest that IFN-γ may be the most suitable of these cytokines for this approach. However, we have demonstrated that injection of IL-2-secreting tumour cells, following primary tumour excision, can prevent the development of metastases and prolong survival of rats. This suggests that IL-2-secreting tumour cells can be effective in the treatment of metastatic disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)310-313
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Immunotherapy
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1993

Keywords

  • Cytokine
  • Gene therapy
  • Interferon-γ
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-4

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cancer Research

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