title: Antitumor effects of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells in head and neck cancer.
abstract: Immune effector cells were generated in vitro and compared for activity against human head and neck cancer (HNC). A subset of human IL2-activated natural killer (A-NK) cells was able to eliminate tumor cells in vitro by necrosis, apoptosis or cytokine-mediated effects and to induce regression of established tumors in vivo, in a xenograft nude mouse model of HNC. Cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) with specificity for a human oral carcinoma were as effective as A-NK cells in mediating killing of autologous tumor cells or entering spheroids. Stable HNC transfectants with the human IL2 gene, which produced IL2 were implanted in nude mice. IL2-secreting tumors regressed spontaneously. Strategies available for use in immunotherapy of human HNC are being evaluated to provide a solid basis for their future therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Whiteside
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chikamatsu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2