Mouse plasmacytoma growth in vivo: enhancement by interleukin 6 (IL-6) and inhibition by antibodies directed against IL-6 or its receptor.
Murine plasmacytomas show a striking dependence on interleukin 6 (IL-6) for their growth in vitro. Here, we present evidence suggesting that IL-6 also plays an essential role in the in vivo development of these tumors. This conclusion is based on the finding that the tumorigenicity of an IL-6-dependent plasmacytoma cell line was increased approximately 100-fold on transfection with an IL-6 expression vector, whereas it was inhibited in animals treated with monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking the binding of IL-6 to its receptor. Injection of these antibodies 1 d before tumor challenge protected greater than 50% of the mice and retarded tumor growth in all animals. Tumors arising in antibody-treated mice retained their IL-6 dependence in vitro, suggesting that the level of protection could be improved if stronger IL-6 antagonists were available.
Vink
A
A
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium.
Coulie
P
P
Warnier
G
G
Renauld
J C
JC
Stevens
M
M
Donckers
D
D
Van Snick
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002460:Cell Line; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D014162:Transfection
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6