Prevention of brain metastasis formation by local expression of interleukin-4 or hemagglutinin antigen.
BACKGROUND
Expression of hemagglutinin antigen of influenza virus (HA) by the murine colon carcinoma cell line (CT-26) produces systemic immunization against tumor challenges in the cecum, liver and lungs but not in the brain of BALB/c-mice. Immunization with IL-4 expressing CT-26 cells inhibits lung metastases formation. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of HA or IL-4 expression on brain metastases formation.


METHODS
Using selective internal carotid artery injections, brain metastases formation of HA or IL-4 expressing CT-26 cells with and without subcutaneous pre-immunization was evaluated in Balb/c mice.


RESULTS
Systemic pre-immunization with HA or IL-4 expressing tumor cells cannot protect against brain metastases, while the local, intracerebral expression of HA or IL-4 inhibits the growth of hematogenous brain metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-immunization with HA or IL-4 expressing tumor cells did produce systemic immunity against liver and lung metastases but not against brain metastases. Local, intracerebral expression of HA or IL-4 prevents from cerebral metastases formation in an animal model.
Weilemann
F
F
Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Carl Gustav Carus Klinikum der Technischen Universität, Dresden, Germany.
Steinmetz
A
A
Kirsch
M
M
Buttler
A
A
Kunze
S
S
Kuhlisch
E
E
Schackert
H K
HK
Schackert
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D015847:Interleukin-4