title: TNF alpha therapy activates human B-lymphoma cells in vivo and may protect myelopoiesis.
abstract: In vitro TNF alpha induces proliferation and expression of predominantly type A TNF-receptors on B-lymphoma cells. In a pilot study we treated 2 patients with refractory B lymphomas with two courses of TNF alpha and consecutive aggressive chemotherapy (high dose Ara-C and mitoxantrone). TNF alpha was applied on days 1-4, chemotherapy on days 2-4 (TNF-AraM). The TNF-AraM therapy was repeated on day 43. Both patients responded to therapy. TNF alpha therapy induced expression of the 75 kD TNF receptor and the interleukin 2 receptor (CD25) and weakly the 55 kD TNF receptor on leukemic B lymphocytes. Interleukin 3, interleukin 6 and GM-CSF were induced and measured in the serum of patients. The mean time of severe granulocytopenia (less than 0.5/nl) was 9 days (range 8-10 days), the mean time of thrombocytopenia (less than 20/nl) was 5 days (range 2-6 days). In 7 patients, who were treated with high dose Ara-C and mitoxantrone (AraM) mean time of granulocytopenia (less than 0.5/nl) was 23 days (range 18-34 days), and of thrombocytopenia (less than 20/nl) was 13.3 (range 3-27 days). We conclude that TNF alpha can activate tumor B cells in vivo and may exhibit also myeloprotective effects when applied before aggressive chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik V, Universität Heidelberg, F.R.G.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heilig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mapara
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bargou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiehn
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dörken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003561:Cytarabine; D008942:Mitoxantrone