The combined administration of partially HLA-matched irradiated allogeneic lymphocytes and thalidomide in advanced renal-cell carcinoma: a case report.
Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) is susceptible to immune therapy including the use of the nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplantation (NST). However, NST can produce severe toxicity, might not be appropriate for many patients with metastatic RCC. Other novel allogeneic immunotherapies are designed to induce an autologous immune response directed against the malignancy. In single-arm phase II trials, thalidomide has demonstrated a modest activity in the treatment of advanced RCC. Here we present a case report in which a patient with advanced RCC in the absence of transplant conditioning, that was receiving thalidomide, was infused with partially HLA-matched irradiated allogeneic lymphocytes. In this patient a complete response with weak acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was observed. No evidence of the disease was present over the subsequent 36 months survival of the patient, suggesting that the infusions may have played a major role in the antineoplastic effect. A potential mechanism of this protocol may involve a host-versus-graft reactions-mediated antitumor effect against the malignancy. In addition, the present results suggest that a combination protocol with alternate treatment (e.g., chemotherapy) schedules merit further investigation in the management of various malignancies.
Chen
Qiang
Q
Department of Internal Medicine, Fujian Provincial Tumor Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350014, People's Republic of China. cqiang8@pub5.fz.fj.cn
Lin
Rong-Bo
RB
Ye
Yun-Bin
YB
Fan
Nan-Feng
NF
Guo
Zeng-Qing
ZQ
Zhou
Zhi-Feng
ZF
Wang
Xiao-Jie
XJ
Chen
Min-Shui
MS
Chen
Shu-Pin
SP
Li
Jie-Yu
JY
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D006680:HLA Antigens; D013792:Thalidomide