Therapy of patients with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus I-induced adult T-cell leukemia with anti-Tac, a monoclonal antibody to the receptor for interleukin-2.
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I)-induced adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells constitutively express interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors identified by the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody (MoAb), whereas normal resting cells do not. This observation provided the scientific basis for a trial of intravenous anti-Tac in the treatment of nine patients with ATL. The patients did not suffer untoward reactions and did not have a reduction in the normal formed elements of the blood, and only one of the nine produced antibodies to the anti-Tac MoAb. Three patients had transient mixed, partial, or complete remissions lasting from 1 to more than 8 months after anti-Tac therapy, as assessed by routine hematologic tests, immunofluorescence analysis of circulating cells, and molecular genetic analysis of HTLV-I provirus integration and of the T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. The precise mechanism of the antitumor effects is unclear; however, the use of a MoAb that prevents the interaction of IL-2 with its receptor on ATL cells provides a rational approach for the treatment of this malignancy.
Waldmann
T A
TA
Metabolism Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Goldman
C K
CK
Bongiovanni
K F
KF
Sharrow
S O
SO
Davey
M P
MP
Cease
K B
KB
Greenberg
S J
SJ
Longo
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015333:Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2