Abstract
Interferon-β (IFN-β) has been used as an antitumor drug against human glioma, melanoma and medulloblastoma since the 1980s. Recently, we developed a new gene therapy using the IFN-β gene against malignant gliomas and then began clinical trials in 2000. Since stimulation of immune system was one mechanism of antitumor effect induced by IFN-β gene therapy, we hypothesized that combination of IFN-β gene therapy with immunotherapy might increase its effectiveness. In the present study, we tested whether combination therapy with IFN-β gene therapy and immunotherapy using tumor cell lysate-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) would increase the efficacy of IFN-β gene therapy. In an experimental mouse intracranial glioma (GL261), which cannot be cured by either IFN-β gene therapy or DC immunotherapy alone, IFN-β gene therapy following DC immunotherapy resulted in a significant prolongation in survival of the mice. Moreover, when this combination was performed twice, 50% of treated mice survived longer than 100 days. Considering these results, this combination therapy may be one promising candidate for glioma therapy in the near future.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 777-782 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | International Journal of Cancer |
Volume | 111 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 Sep 20 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Dendritic cells
- Gene therapy
- Glioma
- Immunotherapy
- Interferon-β gene
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research