IL-12p70 and IL-18 gene-modified dendritic cells loaded with tumor antigen-derived peptides or recombinant protein effectively stimulate specific Type-1 CD4+ T-cell responses from normal donors and melanoma patients in vitro

Cancer Gene Ther. 2006 Aug;13(8):798-805. doi: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700964. Epub 2006 Apr 28.

Abstract

Although CD4(+) Type-1T helper (Th1) cells secreting interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) appear to play an essential role in promoting durable antitumor immunity, we have previously shown that patients with cancer exhibit dysfunctional Th1-type responses against epitopes derived from tumor antigens, such as MAGE-A6. Here, we engineered human dendritic cells (DCs) to secrete high levels of the IFN-gamma-inducing cytokines, interleukin (IL)-12p70 and IL-18, via recombinant adenoviral infection to generate an in vitro stimulus capable of promoting previously deficient patient Th1-type responses. Dendritic cells co-infected with Ad.IL-12 and Ad.IL-18 (DC.IL-12/18) were more effective at stimulating MAGE-A6-specific Th1-type CD4(+) T-cell responses than DCs infected with either of the cytokine vectors alone, control Ad.Psi5 virus or uninfected DCs. Furthermore, we show that DC.IL-12/18 loaded with recombinant MAGE-A6 protein (rMAGE) and used as in vitro stimulators promote Th1-type immunity that is frequently directed against multiple MAGE-A6-derived epitopes. The superiority of DC.IL-12/18-based stimulations in melanoma patients was independent of disease stage or current disease status. Based on these results, we believe this modality may prove clinically useful as a vaccine platform to promote the recovery of tumor antigen-specific, Th1-type CD4(+) T-cell responses in patients with cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interleukin-12* / genetics
  • Interleukin-18* / genetics
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Melanoma / therapy*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Th1 Cells

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Interleukin-18
  • MAGEA6 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interleukin-12