Growth inhibition of follicular small-cleaved-cell lymphoma cells in short-term culture by interleukin-3.
BACKGROUND
The role of interleukin-3 (IL-3) in stimulating the growth of early myeloid progenitor cells is very well established. Therefore, IL-3 has been incorporated into many post-bone-marrow transplantation and intensive chemotherapy programs for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, including lymphomas. However, the effect of IL-3 on normal and malignant lymphocytes has not been well studied.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of IL-3 on the growth of follicular small-cleaved-cell lymphoma (FSCCL).


METHODS
IL-3 receptor expression on the surface of CD19+ cells was determined by two-color flow cytometry measuring the receptor-binding of biotinylated IL-3 to CD19+ B-cells. Seven cases of FSCCL were compared to six normal controls. Cell proliferation was evaluated by [3H]thymidine incorporation into cells grown in suspension cultures.


RESULTS
All seven cases of FSCCL expressed the IL-3 receptor on the surface of CD19+ cells, whereas all six cases of CD19+ cells isolated from the peripheral blood of normal donors did not express IL-3 receptors. IL-3 had antiproliferative activity against FSCCL as manifested by a decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation and a decrease in the total number of cells after 72 hours of culture.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-3 inhibits the growth of FSCCL cells in vitro. Clinical trials to evaluate the in vivo effect of IL-3 in patients with FSCCL are warranted.
Younes
A
A
Division of Medicine, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Drach
J
J
Katz
R
R
Jendiroba
D
D
Sabourian
M H
MH
Sarris
A H
AH
Swan
F
F
Hill
D
D
Cabanillas
F
F
Ford
R
R
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016185:Receptors, Interleukin-3 / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D007377:Interleukin-3; D016185:Receptors, Interleukin-3