title: Immunotherapy of cancer with 4-1BB.
abstract: 4-1BB (CD137), a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is an activation-induced T-cell costimulatory molecule. Signaling via 4-1BB upregulates survival genes, enhances cell division, induces cytokine production, and prevents activation-induced cell death in T cells. The importance of the 4-1BB pathway has been underscored in a number of diseases, including cancer. Growing evidence indicates that anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies possess strong antitumor properties, which in turn are the result of their powerful CD8+ T-cell activating, IFN-γ producing, and cytolytic marker-inducing capabilities. In addition, combination therapy of anti-4-1BB with other anticancer agents, such as radiation, has robust tumor-regressing abilities against nonimmunogenic or poorly immunogenic tumors. Furthermore, the adoptive transfer of ex vivo anti-4-1BB-activated CD8+ T cells from previously tumor-treated animals efficiently inhibits progression of tumors in recipient mice that have been inoculated with fresh tumors. In addition, targeting of tumors with variants of 4-1BBL directed against 4-1BB also have potent antitumor effects. Currently, a humanized anti-4-1BB is in clinical trials in patients with solid tumors, including melanoma, renal carcinoma, and ovarian cancer, and so far seems to have a favorable toxicity profile. In this review, we discuss the basis of the therapeutic potential of targeting the 4-1BB-4-1BBL pathway in cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Dass S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Vinay
authors.forename: Byoung S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D053330:4-1BB Ligand / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053330:4-1BB Ligand; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9