Abstract
IL-2 therapy results in 10-20% response rates in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) via activating immune cells, in which the protein tyrosine phosphatase Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) is a key negative regulator. Based on fading that sodium stibogluconate (SSG) inhibited SHP-1, the anti-RCC potential and action mechanism of SSG and SSG/IL-2 in combination were investigated in a marine renal cancer model (Renca). Despite its failure to inhibit Renca cell proliferation in cultures, SSG induced 61% growth inhibition of Renca tumors in BALB/c mice coincident with an increase (2-fold) in tumor-infiltrating macrophages (MΦ). A combination of SSG and IL-2 was more effective in inhibiting tumor growth (91%) and inducing tumor-infiltrating MΦ (4-fold), whereas IL-2 alone had little effect. MΦ increases were also detected in the spleens of mice treated with SSG (3-fold) or SSG/IL-2 in combination (6-fold), suggesting a systemic MΦ expansion similar to those in SHP-deficient mice. T cell involvement in the anti-Renca tumor action of the combination was suggested by the observations that the treatment induced spleen IFN-γ T cells in BALB/c mice, but failed to inhibit Renca tumor growth in athymic nude mice and that SSG treatment of T cells in vitro increased production of IFN-γ capable of activating tumoricidal MΦ. The SSG and SSG/IL-2 combination treatments were tolerated in the mice. These results together demonstrate an anti-Renca tumor activity of SSG that was enhanced in combination with IL-2 and functions via a T cell-dependent mechanism with increased IFN-γ production and expansion/activation of MΦ. Our findings suggest that SSG might improve anti-RCC efficacy of IL-2 therapy by enhancing antitumor immunity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 7003-7008 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 175 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 15 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology