Induction of endogenous lymphokine-activated killer activity by combined administration of lentinan and interleukin 2.
Lymphokine-activated killer activity in vivo (endogenous LAK activity) was found to be augmented by combined administration of lentinan, a beta (1-3) glucan with beta-1,6 branches, and interleukin 2 (IL-2). In contrast, addition of lentinan during culture in vitro did not augment LAK activity induced by IL-2. Surface marker analysis of endogenous LAK cells revealed that endogenous LAK cells induced by a combined administration of lentinan and IL-2 were all NK-type LAK cells, which express asialo-GM1 and lack T3, Thy-1 and Lyt2, whereas LAK cells generated in vitro were composed of both NK-type LAK and T-type LAK cells, which express T3 and Thy-1, and lack asialo-GM1. Furthermore, combined administration of lentinan and IL-2 was found to augment the endogenous LAK activity even in the tumor bearer, and show a substantial inhibition of tumor growth and a significant increase in survival rate in the C3H/HeN/MM46 system. Results of the present investigation offer a possible clinical application of a combination of lentinan and IL-2 for immunotherapy against cancer without detrimental side effects.
Suzuki
M
M
Basic Research Laboratories, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Kawasaki, Japan.
Higuchi
S
S
Taki
Y
Y
Taki
S
S
Miwa
K
K
Hamuro
J
J
D000818:Animals; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007912:Lentinan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
D007376:Interleukin-2; D007912:Lentinan