| Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 24, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 2519 Author(s):
 
 A. Kretz-Rommel, N. Dakappagari, F. Qin, J. McWhirter, D. Oltean, E. Ravey, D. Wu, J. Springhorn, A. Saven, K. Bowdish
 Abstract:
 
 
 Background: Although the human immune system is capable of raising an immune response against many cancer types, that response is insufficient to eradicate the cancer in most patients, possibly due to immune evasion through negative regulation of the immune system by the tumor. We identified the immune-suppressive molecule CD200 to be upregulated 1.5-5.4-fold on CLL cells in all 80 patients examined. Interaction of CD200 with its receptor alters cytokine profiles from Th1 to Th2 in mixed lymphocyte reactions, and results in the induction of regulatory T cells, which are thought to hamper tumor-specific effector T cell immunity. We addressed whether CD200 expression on tumor cells plays a role in immune evasion, thereby preventing elimination of tumor cells by the immune system in a xenograft hu/SCID mouse model, and whether treatment with an antagonistic anti-CD200 antibody affects tumor growth. Methods: The human non-Hodgkins lymphoma cell lines RAJI and Namalwa were transduced with human CD200 and injected subcutaneously together with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) into NOD/SCID mice. Tumor growth over time was compared among mice that either received CD200-expressing tumor cells or received tumor cells lacking CD200 expression. In subsequent experiments, mice were treated with chimeric or humanized anti-CD200 antibodies (doses ranged from 1 to 20 mg/kg) by intravenous injection. Treatment was either started immediately or 7 days after tumor cell injection. Results: As expected, PBLs reduced CD200-negative RAJI or Namalwa tumor growth by up to 75%. In contrast, growth of RAJI or Namalwa tumors expressing CD200 at levels comparable to that of CLL was not reduced by PBLs. Administration of anti-CD200 antibodies at 5 mg/kg resulted in nearly complete tumor growth inhibition (1/10 mice developed a small tumor) over the course of the study even when treatment was started 7 days after tumor cell injection. Conclusions: CD200 expression on tumor cells inhibits the ability of human lymphocytes to eradicate tumor cells. Treatment of CD200-expressing tumors with antagonistic anti-CD200 antibodies inhibits tumor growth, indicating the potential for anti-CD200 therapy as a promising approach for CLL.
 
 <Not exactly new even here, Eric posted like earlier>
 
 -----------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------
 Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 24, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 2545
 Author(s):
 
 A. Siva, H. Xin, F. Qin, A. Mickel, S. Faas, A. Kretz-Rommel, K. S. Bowdish
 Abstract:
 
 
 Background: Immune escape by tumors can occur by multiple mechanisms, each a significant barrier to immunotherapy. Upregulation of the immunosuppressive molecule CD200 on chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells inhibits Th1 cytokine production required for an effective cytotoxic T cell response. CD200 expression on human tumor cells in animal models prevents human lymphocytes from rejecting the tumor; treatment with an antagonistic anti-CD200 antibody restored lymphocyte-mediated tumor growth inhibition. This study evaluated CD200 expression on other cancers, and its effect on immune response. Methods: CD200 levels in ovarian adenocarcinoma and metastatic melanoma samples were evaluated by RT-QPCR and immunohistochemistry. Cell-surface CD200 on melanoma and ovarian cancer cell lines was assessed by flow cytometry. The effect of CD200 on cytokine production in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) was assessed by adding the cells to cultures containing human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and allogeneic T cells. Th1 and Th2 cytokines in culture supernatants were detected by ELISA. Results: RT-QPCR showed CD200 expression levels upregulated in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma compared to normal samples. In malignant melanoma, CD200 expression in jejunum metastases was significantly higher than in normal samples, and 2 of 6 lung metastases showed CD200 upregulation. IHC showed strong, membrane-associated CD200 staining on malignant cells of two melanoma patients. Three ovarian cancer patients showed varying levels of CD200 tumor staining; all showed strong stromal staining. CD200 was highly expressed on the cell surface of SK-MEL-24 and SK-MEL-28 melanoma and OV-CAR-3 ovarian cancer cell lines and moderately expressed on the melanoma cell line SK-MEL-5. Addition of these cell lines to MLRs downregulated the production of Th1 cytokines; addition of CD200-negative cell lines did not. Inclusion of an antagonistic anti-CD200 antibody during the culture restored Th1 cytokine responses. Conclusion: Melanoma and ovarian tumor cells can upregulate CD200, thereby potentially suppressing anti-tumor immune responses. Therapy with an antagonistic anti-CD200 antibody may permit an effective cytotoxic immune response against the tumor cells.
 |