Enhanced lymphokine-activated killer cell activity by an immunomodulator, Roquinimex.
Roquinimex (Roq) is an immunomodulator known to stimulate cellular immune responses. It is currently used for immunotherapy after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). One of the major features of this compound is an enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity and numbers. We studied the in vitro effect of Roq on human peripheral blood NK and adherent lymphokine-activated killer cell (ALAK) activities. In cultures supplemented with recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) (1000 U ml-1) and Roq a significant increase in NK and LAK function was observed without a parallel increase in cell numbers. We also examined the generation of NK cells from human bone marrow (BM) immature progenitors, obtained by purging with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4HC). NK cell numbers and activity were both increased when cultures with rIL-2 (10 U ml-1) were supplemented with Roq. These results confirm findings obtained in vivo and in vitro in the murine system and suggest that Roq is an active agent on these lymphoid populations. These properties and good tolerability make Roq an attractive tool for immunotherapy.
Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal.
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F
Vaz
M R
MR
Silva
J L
JL
Ascensao
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D016465:Bone Marrow Purging; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006912:Hydroxyquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004915:Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010641:Phenotype; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006912:Hydroxyquinolines; C012358:4-hydroxycyclophosphamide; C045282:roquinimex; D003520:Cyclophosphamide