Adjuvant dendritic cells vaccine combined with cytokine-induced-killer cell therapy after renal cell carcinoma surgery.

PURPOSE: To observe the efficacy and side effects of adjuvant dendritic cells' (DCs) vaccine combined with cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) therapy after renal cell carcinoma (RCC) surgery (RCCS). METHODS: DCs vaccine and CIK that loaded the autologous tumor cell lysate were prepared in vitro. Four hundred and ten RCC patients were recruited, and the study group was given DCs-CIK immunotherapy, while the control group was given IFN-α therapy. RESULTS: Disease progression (recurrence, metastasis or death) showed significant differences between the two groups in clinical stage I and II patients, as well as in highly and moderately differentiated disease (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the two groups in patients with poorly differentiated disease (p>0.05). The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates of the DCs-CIK group (96% and 96%, respectively) exhibited significant difference compared to the IFN-α group (83% and 74%, respectively (p<0.01). Progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups was significantly different (p<0.01). Tumor stage and DCs-CIK treatment were independent factors concerning prognosis of RCC (p<0.05). There was no severe toxicity observed in the DCs-CIK treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant post-RCCS DCs-CIK treatment prolonged PFS and reduced mortality, showing better overall activity compared to interferon treatment.

Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 increases apoptosis resistance in prostate cancer cells.

In developed countries, prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed type of cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality in males. Compared with western countries, the morbidity rate of PCa in China is markedly lower, however, it is rising annually. The etiology of PCa is unclear, therefore, to investigate how a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) functions in PCa, ADAM10 mRNA and protein levels induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were identified using polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry, respectively. To investigate the mechanism of ADAM10 activity in PCa, specific inhibitors were used, and DNA transfection and RNA interference technology were employed to identify the interaction between ADAM10 and the Fas ligand (L). The results indicated that TNF-α induced ADAM10 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/necrosis factor-κB signaling pathway. ADAM10 hydrolyzed FasL and contributed to apoptosis resistance of the tumor cells. These observations indicate a promising therapeutic modality for the treatment of apoptosis-resistant PCa, by targeting ADAM10 sheddase activity.

Factors influencing second renal allograft survival: a single center experience in China.

Second renal transplants are historically associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to assess long-term survival of second renal grafts from deceased donors performed at our center and to analyze risk factors associated with long-term graft outcome. Sixty-five second renal grafts were enrolled into this study, and compared to primary ones performed during the same period. Kaplan-Meier curve showed a graft survival rate of 89.2% at 1 year, 80% at 3 years, and 63.1% at 5 years, which were similar to that of primary graft. Univariate analysis showed that time to first graft loss, cold ischaemia time, HLA mismatch, primary maintenance immunosuppressant, acute rejection episodes, and serum creatinine at 1 year were significantly associated with regraft survival. Cox regression demonstrated the dominant effect of acute rejection episodes, primary maintenance immunosuppressant, serum creatinine at 1 year, and time to first graft loss as predictor of second graft outcome. However, when long-term survival of second graft was examined on the basis of Kaplan-Meier estimates, HLA mismatch was found to be significant. The second graft had more benefits of improved pre-transplant screening and post-transplant management, and its survival rate was satisfactory and similar to that of primary one. Immunologic factors such as acute rejection and primary immunosuppressant are the main determinants of long-term renal transplantation outcome.

Comparison of single bolus ATG and Basiliximab as induction therapy in presensitized renal allograft recipients receiving tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen.

Presensitized renal allograft recipients require special management to improve their outcome, and there is no consensus on the optimal immunosuppressive strategy. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 82 patients, who were PRA positive pre-transplant (above 10%) and received single bolus ATG and basiliximab as induction therapy, and assessed safety and efficacy of two kinds of induction therapies. Patients of ATG group (n=40) received single bolus ATG (Fresenius, 9 mg/kg preoperatively) and those of basiliximab group (n=42) were given two doses of basiliximab (Simulect, Novartis, 20 mg) on days 0 and 4 post-transplant. All patients received standard triple immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus (FK-506), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and steroids. The follow-up time was 12 months. There was no hyperacute rejection in two groups, and delayed graft function occurred in two patients of ATG group and three of basiliximab group. After 12-month follow-up, more acute rejection (AR) episodes were observed in basiliximab group than ATG group (35.7% vs. 15%, P=0.032). Although highly significant differences were observed between ATG group and basiliximab group with respect to the incidence of thrombocytopenia (P=0.001), single bolus ATG was well tolerated. Incidences of other adverse events and infection episodes did not differ between two groups (P>0.05). One-year patient and graft survival was 95%, 92.5% and 95.2%, 88.1% in ATG and basiliximab group respectively (P>0.05). Both single bolus ATG and basiliximab induction therapy achieved similar one-year graft/patient survival. However, single bolus ATG yielded much lower AR rate than basiliximab without increase in infection episodes and severe adverse events.

[Construction and expression of anti-CD3/anti-prostate-cancer bispecific single-chain antibody].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant vector that expresses anti-CD 3/anti-prostate-cancer bispecific single-chain antibody (BsAb), and study its biological activities and clinical significance. METHODS: An anti-CD 3/anti-prostate-cancer BsAb was constructed by PCR and molecular biological technique of DNA cloning. The fusion gene, confirmed by sequencing, was subcloned into the pSectag2-B plasmid from the pUC18 vector by digestion with EcoR I and Hind III restriction endonucleases, whose sites exist in both the vectors. Then the recombinant plasmid was transfected into HeLa cells. The expression products in the supernatant were analyzed by both SDS-PAGE and Western blot technique, then were purified with Ni(2+)-NTA superflow affinity chromatography. Its biological activities were examined by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: A fragment of 1.5 kb was inserted into the pUC18 vector, which was sequenced and verified to be identical with that designed. The expression of anti-CD 3 x anti-prostate-cancer BsAb yielded a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of 61 KD. The purification rate of the expressed BsAb was up to 90.537% and the yield of purified BsAb from this procedure was 0.09 mg/ml. The positive binding rates of BsAb to PBMC and to PC-3 cell were 54.1% and 53.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: The anti-CD 3 x anti-prostate-cancer BsAb thus constructed exhibits beneficial biological activities and may play an important role in the treatment of prostate cancer.