TY - JOUR
T1 - Alterations in p53-specific T cells and other lymphocyte subsets in breast cancer patients during vaccination with p53-peptide loaded dendritic cells and low-dose interleukin-2
AU - Svane, Inge Marie
AU - Pedersen, Anders E
AU - Nikolajsen, Kirsten
AU - Zocca, Mai-Britt
PY - 2008/8/26
Y1 - 2008/8/26
N2 - We have previously established a cancer vaccine using autologous DCs, generated by in vitro stimulation with IL-4 and GM-CSF, and pulsed with six HLA-A*0201 binding wild-type p53 derived peptides. This vaccine was used in combination with low-dose interleukin-2 in a recently published clinical Phase II trial where 26 HLA-A2+ patients with progressive late-stage metastatic breast cancer (BC) were included. Almost 1/3rd of the patients obtained stable disease or minor regression during treatment with a positive correlation to tumour over-expression of p53. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the effector stage of the p53-specific CD8+ T cells by the use of Dextramer Technology and multicolour FACS. Pre- and post-treatment blood samples from eight BC patients were analysed. Independent of clinical outcome p53-specific T cells were phenotypic distinctly antigen experienced (CD44high, CCR-7low and CD62Llow). Furthermore, fresh blood from 18 cancer patients included in the vaccination trial were prospectively examined for more general treatment associated quantitative and qualitative changes in T cell subpopulations. We found that the frequency of CD4+ CD25high regulatory T cells was almost doubled after only 4 weeks of weekly vaccination and low-dose IL-2. In addition, a decrease in the percentage of CD27highCCR-7high CD4/CD8 naïve T cells was measured particularly in patients with progressive disease during vaccination. Finally, prior to immunotherapy a higher percentage of both CD28 and CD27 positive CD8naïve/early effector memory T cells were present in chemotherapy-treated patients.
AB - We have previously established a cancer vaccine using autologous DCs, generated by in vitro stimulation with IL-4 and GM-CSF, and pulsed with six HLA-A*0201 binding wild-type p53 derived peptides. This vaccine was used in combination with low-dose interleukin-2 in a recently published clinical Phase II trial where 26 HLA-A2+ patients with progressive late-stage metastatic breast cancer (BC) were included. Almost 1/3rd of the patients obtained stable disease or minor regression during treatment with a positive correlation to tumour over-expression of p53. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the effector stage of the p53-specific CD8+ T cells by the use of Dextramer Technology and multicolour FACS. Pre- and post-treatment blood samples from eight BC patients were analysed. Independent of clinical outcome p53-specific T cells were phenotypic distinctly antigen experienced (CD44high, CCR-7low and CD62Llow). Furthermore, fresh blood from 18 cancer patients included in the vaccination trial were prospectively examined for more general treatment associated quantitative and qualitative changes in T cell subpopulations. We found that the frequency of CD4+ CD25high regulatory T cells was almost doubled after only 4 weeks of weekly vaccination and low-dose IL-2. In addition, a decrease in the percentage of CD27highCCR-7high CD4/CD8 naïve T cells was measured particularly in patients with progressive disease during vaccination. Finally, prior to immunotherapy a higher percentage of both CD28 and CD27 positive CD8naïve/early effector memory T cells were present in chemotherapy-treated patients.
KW - Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
KW - Breast Neoplasms/immunology
KW - CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
KW - CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
KW - Cancer Vaccines/immunology
KW - Dendritic Cells/immunology
KW - Female
KW - Flow Cytometry
KW - Humans
KW - Interleukin-2/administration & dosage
KW - Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
KW - Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
KW - T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
KW - Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/immunology
KW - Vaccination/methods
U2 - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.06.085
DO - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.06.085
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 18616968
SN - 0264-410X
VL - 26
SP - 4716
EP - 4724
JO - Vaccine
JF - Vaccine
IS - 36
ER -