CD40L-transfected myeloma cells transfer prolonged immunity in vivo.
BACKGROUND
In a large number of patients with multiple myeloma, chemotherapy is the only therapeutic option. During recent years, major effort has been put into immunotherapeutic approaches for this malignancy.


METHODS
In this study, wild-type (wt) myeloma cells (5x10(5)) were injected subcutaneously into Balb/c mice. CD40L-transfected myeloma cells (5x10(5)) were subsequently injected intratumorally into the established (>100 mm(3)) wt tumor nodules. Overall survival and tumor growth were measured.


RESULTS
Out of eight animals receiving wt tumor cells, one died prior to the formation of a solid tumor nodule. Following the CD40L-transfected myeloma cell injection, stable complete remission at day 60 with all the animals surviving resulted. On day 60, a re-challenge was performed with wt myeloma cells. No tumor growth was observed after 120 days out of seven remaining animals, one died.


CONCLUSIONS
Intratumoral injection of CD40L-transfected myeloma cells induces complete tumor remission and long lasting immunity against tumor recurrence.
Department of Internal Medicine III, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University of Bonn, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
Young
Y
Kim
John W
JW
Strehl
Elisabeth
E
Sievers
Marcus
M
Gorschlüter
Peter
P
Brossart
Ingo G H
IG
Schmidt-Wolf
D000818:Animals; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D008136:Longevity; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D014162:Transfection; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D023201:CD40 Ligand