The CC chemokine receptor 4 as a novel specific molecular target for immunotherapy in adult T-Cell leukemia/lymphoma

Clin Cancer Res. 2004 Nov 15;10(22):7529-39. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-0983.

Abstract

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a peripheral T-cell neoplasm with dismal prognosis, and no optimal therapy has been developed. We tested the defucosylated chimeric anti-CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) monoclonal antibody, KM2760, to develop a novel immunotherapy for this refractory tumor. In the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy adult donors, KM2760 induced CCR4-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against CCR4-positive ATLL cell lines and primary tumor cells obtained from ATLL patients. We next examined the KM2760-induced ADCC against primary ATLL cells in an autologous setting. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity mediated by autologous effector cells was generally lower than that mediated by allogeneic control effector cells. However, a robust ADCC activity was induced in some cases, which was comparable with that mediated by allogeneic effector cells. It suggests that the ATLL patients' PBMCs retain substantial ADCC-effector function, although the optimal conditions for maximal effect have not yet been determined. In addition, we also found a high expression of FoxP3 mRNA and protein, a hallmark of regulatory T cells, in ATLL cells, indicating the possibility that ATLL cells originated from regulatory T cells. KM2760 reduced FoxP3 mRNA expression in normal PBMCs along with CCR4 mRNA by lysis of CCR4+ T cells in vitro. Our data suggest not only that the CCR4 molecule could be a suitable target for the novel antibody-based therapy for patients with ATLL but also that KM2760 may induce effective tumor immunity by reducing the number of regulatory T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Blotting, Western
  • CD3 Complex / biosynthesis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / metabolism*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism*
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CCR4 protein, human
  • CD3 Complex
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FCGR3A protein, human
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, IgG