The identification of renal cell carcinoma as a target for allogeneic based cancer immunotherapy.
Renal cell carcinoma tumor cells are intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy, but unlike most solid tumors, may be susceptible to immune-based therapy. Because powerful immune effects can be generated against hematological malignancies following allogeneic stem cell transplantation, we investigated for similar anti-tumor responses in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma following the transplantation of an allogeneic immune system from a healthy HLA-matched family donor. Early laboratory and clinical results have demonstrated that following a reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant, donor T-cell mediated anti-tumor effects, resulting in sustained and sometimes complete tumor regression, can be generated against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) refractory to conventional cytokine-based therapy. Early data indicate that cytotoxic T cells of donor origin are the mediators of these anti-tumor effects. These preliminary studies provide additional evidence supporting the susceptibility of RCC to immune attack and lay the foundation for future targeted allo-immune-based cancer strategies.
Childs
Richard W
RW
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md 20892, USA. childsr@nih.gov
Igarashi
Takehito
T
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020350:Graft vs Tumor Effect; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome