Identification of human renal cell carcinoma associated genes by suppression subtractive hybridization.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are frequently chemo- and radiation resistant. Thus, there is a need for identifying biological features of these cells that could serve as alternative therapeutic targets. We performed suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) on patient-matched normal renal and RCC tissue to identify variably regulated genes. 11 genes were strongly up-regulated or selectively expressed in more than one RCC tissue or cell line. Screening of filters containing cancer-related cDNAs confirmed overexpression of 3 of these genes and 3 additional genes were identified. These 14 differentially expressed genes, only 6 of which have previously been associated with RCC, are related to tumour growth/survival (EGFR, cyclin D1, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and a MLRQ sub-unit homologue of the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial PAS domain protein-1, ceruloplasmin, angiopoietin-related protein 2) and cell adhesion/motility (protocadherin 2, cadherin 6, autotaxin, vimentin, lysyl oxidase and semaphorin G). Since some of these genes were overexpressed in 80-90% of RCC tissues, it is important to evaluate their suitability as therapeutic targets.

T-helper cell-response to MHC class II-binding peptides of the renal cell carcinoma-associated antigen RAGE-1.

Recently, epitope prediction software for HLA-DR binding sequences has become available. In view of the importance of T helper (Th) cell activation in immunotherapy of cancer and evidences supporting immunogenicity of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we have tested 4 peptides of RAGE-1 binding promiscuously to HLA-DR molecules for induction of an immune response. The peptides predicted by the TEPITOPE program using a stringent threshold were derived from the open reading frame 2 and 5 of RAGE-1. Induction of response was evaluated by culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of peptide-loaded dendritic cells (DC) to determine proliferative activity and cytokine expression. Two out of 5 donors did not respond to any of the 4 peptides, 2 donors responded to one peptide and one donor responded to two other peptides. Notably, as revealed by blocking studies and T cell subtype definition, peptides bound to MHC class II molecules and peptide pulsed DC exclusively activated CD4+ T cells, which were of the Th1 subtype. With respect to clinical application it is important that (un)responsiveness of individual donors' PBMC was a very consistent feature. Though we have not tested explicitly whether these peptides correspond to naturally processed peptides, the possibility to define those patients whose Th might respond to in silico predicted peptides of RAGE-1, by an in vitro assay, could well be a helpful step towards setting up a RAGE-1 based immunotherapeutic protocol.

In vitro induction of a bladder cancer-specific T-cell response by mRNA-transfected dendritic cells.

PURPOSE: To design a tumor-specific immunotherapeutic strategy for treating tumors for which no specific antigens are described (such as bladder urothelial carcinoma), we attempted to activate tumor-specific T-cells by dendritic cells transfected with tumor-derived mRNA. METHODS: Dendritic cells were generated from a patient's peripheral blood and loaded with mRNA derived from the urothelial carcinoma tissue of the same patient. Autologous T-cells were incubated twice on these dendritic cells and tested for their ability to lyse tumor cells. RESULTS: Dendritic cells transfected with tumor-derived mRNA were able to activate T-cells that recognized autologous tumor cells. Cytotoxicity was around 26% for an effector:target ratio of 50:1. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes did not kill the autologous tumor cells in vitro, but after a single stimulation with the transfected dendritic cells, they induced tumor cell lysis of 35.7% at an effector:target ratio of 50:1. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that dendritic cells transfected with tumor mRNA containing messages for one or more tumor antigens could serve for the ex vivo activation of effector T-cells or directly as vaccines for a wide range of human neoplasias.

Cure of Burkitt's lymphoma in severe combined immunodeficiency mice by T cells, tetravalent CD3 x CD19 tandem diabody, and CD28 costimulation.

To increase the valency, stability, and therapeutic potential of bispecific antibodies, we have constructed a tetravalent tandem diabody (Tandab) that is specific to both human CD3 (T-cell antigen) and CD19 (B-cell marker; S. M. Kipriyanov et al., J. Mol. Biol., 293: 41-56, 1999). It was generated by the functional dimerization of a single chain molecule that contained four antibody variable domains (V(H) and V(L)) in an orientation that prevented intramolecular pairing. Compared with a previously constructed heterodimeric CD3 x CD19 diabody, the Tandab exhibited a higher apparent affinity to both CD3+ and CD19+ cells and longer blood retention when injected into mice. Biodistribution studies in mice bearing Burkitt's lymphoma xenografts demonstrated specific accumulation of the radioiodinated Tandab in a tumor site with tumor-to-blood ratios of 1.5, 8.1, and 13.3 at 3, 18, and 24 h, respectively. Treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency mice bearing established Burkitt's lymphoma (5 mm in diameter) with human peripheral blood lymphocytes, Tandab, and anti-CD28 MAbs resulted in the complete elimination of tumors in all of the animals within 10 days. In contrast, mice receiving human peripheral blood lymphocytes in combination with either the diabody alone or the diabody plus anti-CD28 MAbs showed only partial tumor regression. These data demonstrate that the CD3 x CD19 Tandab may be a promising tool for the immunotherapy of human B-cell leukemias and lymphomas.

Treatment of human B cell lymphoma xenografts with a CD3 x CD19 diabody and T cells.

The use of anti-CD3 x antitumor bispecific Abs is an attractive and highly specific approach in cancer therapy. Recombinant Ab technology now provides powerful tools to enhance the potency of such immunotherapeutic constructs. We designed a heterodimeric diabody specific for human CD19 on B cells and CD3epsilon chain of the TCR complex. After production in Escherichia coli and purification, we analyzed its affinity, stability, and pharmacokinetics, and tested its capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation and mediate in vitro lysis of CD19+ tumor cells. The effect of the diabody on tumor growth was investigated in an in vivo model using immunodeficient mice bearing a human B cell lymphoma. The CD3 x CD19 diabody specifically interacted with both CD3- and CD19-positive cells, was able to stimulate T cell proliferation in the presence of tumor cells, and induced the lysis of CD19+ cells in the presence of activated human PBL. The lytic potential of the diabody was enhanced in the presence of an anti-CD28 mAb. In vivo experiments indicated a higher stability and longer blood retention of diabodies compared with single chain Fv fragments. Treatment of immunodeficient mice bearing B lymphoma xenografts with the diabody and preactivated human PBL efficiently inhibited tumor growth. The survival time was further prolonged by including the anti-CD28 mAb. The CD3 x CD19 diabody is a powerful tool that should facilitate the immunotherapy of minimal residual disease in patients with B cell leukemias and malignant lymphomas.

Downregulation of TNF receptor-associated protein-2/p97 in renal cell carcinoma.

Messenger RNA differential display was used to identify genes that are differentially expressed in normal kidney and kidney tumors. We isolated a clone that was uniquely expressed in the normal kidney cell line KCTL-22. The differential expression was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. The cloned cDNA showed 100% homology with type-1 TNF receptor-associated protein-2 (TRAP-2), which is identical to the 97-kDa subunit 2 of the 26S protease (p97). TRAP-2/p97 mRNA was absent or downregulated in two out of four renal cell carcinoma (RCC) lines and in one out of five tissue samples of freshly harvested RCC. All normal tissues tested showed TRAP-2/p97 expression, with highest expression being observed in heart and skeletal muscle. The TRAP-2/p97 mRNA was also detectable in tumor cell lines of nonrenal origin. However, expression levels varied considerably, low levels in particular being observed frequently in malignant melanoma. Although in the tested samples expression of additional subunits of the proteasome, like LMP-2, LMP-7, and LMP-10, were unaltered, the downregulation of TRAP-2/p97 in tumor tissue might affect the processing and presentation of tumor-associated antigens.

Effects of isoniazid (INH) on the BCG-induced local immune response after intravesical BCG therapy for superficial bladder cancer.

Because recent investigations showed that the use of isoniazid (INH) severely impaired the local immune reaction to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in the bladder of guinea pigs, in this study the effect of INH in man has been investigated. Patients were treated with BCG with or without oral INH. The concentration of free INH in most urine samples of patients treated with BCG/INH was much higher (mean 38.0 +/- 60.9 micrograms INH/ml) than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC; 0.1 microgram INH/ml), suggesting at least a bacteriostatic potential of the INH present. However, in vitro studies showed that these urinary concentrations of INH did not kill BCG organisms effectively, even at a concentration of 150 micrograms/ml for 24 h. After the fifth and sixth BCG instillations a significant increase in the concentration of cytokines (IL2, IL6, IL8 and TNFa), IgG and IgA antibodies to BCG and the number of leukocytes in urine was observed. The leukocytes mainly consisted of granulocytes, besides monocytes/macrophages and, in lower amounts, T- and B-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The absolute number of granulocytes and the concentration of IgG antibodies after BCG instillation were significantly suppressed by INH, whereas INH appeared to have no effect on the urinary cytokine and IgA antibody concentrations or the total number and phenotype of the leukocytes present. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that INH does not impair the local immunological stimulation after BCG instillation in man as severely as was observed in the guinea pig and it may be expected that INH does not impair the antitumor efficacy of BCG.