Celecoxib up-regulates the expression of the zeta chain of T cell receptor complex in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in human cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effects of celecoxib treatment on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subsets [CD3(+), CD4(+),CD8(+), CD25(+), and T cell receptor (TCR)-zeta-expressing cells] and tryptase-positive mast cells in cervical tumors. Circulating levels of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and IL-12] and angiogenesis-modulating factors (vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin) have also been analyzed.


METHODS
Cervical tumor biopsies and blood samples were obtained at the time of diagnosis and after 10 days of celecoxib treatment (400 mg b.i.d., at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.) in 27 cases. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays were used to assess the expression of biological factors in tumor tissue and circulating levels of cytokines and angiogenic molecules.


RESULTS
We showed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of TIL expressing the TCR-zeta chain after celecoxib treatment: indeed, in cases exposed to celecoxib, the percentage of TCR-zeta(+) cells ranged from 5.0 to 50.0 (median, 22.5) with respect to baseline expression (range, 3.0-50.0; median, 10.0; P = 0.0016). There was no significant treatment-related difference in the percentage of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD25(+) TIL as well as in tryptase-positive cells. IL-12 levels were significantly reduced in posttreatment samples with respect to baseline levels (P = 0.002). We also found a reduction in the circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, and a statistically significant increase of serum endostatin levels (P = 0.035).


CONCLUSIONS
We reported the first evidence in humans that celecoxib restores zeta expression by TIL in primary cervical tumors, suggesting that a positive modulation of immune function may serve as an additional mechanism supporting the antitumor effect of this class of drugs.
Ferrandina
Gabriella
G
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Histology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. gabriella.ferrandina@libero.it
Ranelletti
Franco Oreste
FO
Legge
Francesco
F
Salutari
Vanda
V
Martinelli
Enrica
E
Fattorossi
Andrea
A
Lorusso
Domenica
D
Zannoni
Gianfranco
G
Vellone
Valerio
V
Paglia
Amelia
A
Scambia
Giovanni
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000068579:Celecoxib; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D043169:Endostatins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D043169:Endostatins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D013449:Sulfonamides; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C054979:antigen T cell receptor, zeta chain; D000068579:Celecoxib