Third International Workshop on Lung Tumor and Differentiation Antigens: overview of the results of the central data analysis.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R A Stahel.
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The intact anti-SCLC monoclonal antibody (MAb) SEN7 and its F(ab')2 were labelled with the beta-emitting isotope 67Cu. Both materials retained their biological activity in vitro as determined by the Lindmo assay. In a direct comparison of in vivo distribution in a xenograph model, 131I- and 67Cu-labelled intact SEN7 showed similar absolute tumour accumulation. Blood levels were markedly lower in the case of the 67Cu-labelled antibody, resulting in improved tumour:blood ratios which reached a maximum of 13:1 compared with only 4.5:1 for 131I-SEN7. In the case of the 67Cu-labelled F(ab')2, very high accumulation of the nuclide was observed in the kidney. Levels of radio copper in liver and spleen were also found to be significantly raised when compared with radio iodine. SWA20, a MAb which had previously failed to show any selective in vivo accumulation in tumour xenografts when labelled with radio iodine showed higher and more stable tumour accumulation when labelled with 67Cu.
We have investigated immunologically the molecular association of the cell-surface sialoglycoprotein antigens cluster-5 (CL-5) and cluster-5A (CL-5A), known to be co-expressed in human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). CL-5 antigen is exclusively defined by IgM antibodies as represented by MAb LAM8, whereas CL-5A antigen is exclusively defined by IgG antibodies as represented by MAbs SWA20 and SEN31. Because of the unavailability of purified antigens, the question of the molecular relationship between these antigens was addressed by immunological studies. We generated an anti-anti-idiotypic MAb of the IgG isotype using a CL-5-antigen-mimicking anti-idiotype defined by rat MAb Ly8-229 as an immunogen to circumvent the avidity problems observed with the IgM MAb LAM8 in binding-competition experiments. In addition, we developed a heterologous double antibody sandwich assay able to identify circulating CL-5/5A antigens in pre-treatment sera of patients with SCLC. The results of both types of immunological studies demonstrated the expression of CL-5 and CL-5A antigens on a single molecule, both in cellular assays and in assays detecting antigens shed into the serum of patients with SCLC.
Expression of isoforms of the CD44 hyaluronan receptor/lymph-node endothelial receptor by human tumour cells is thought to play a role in tumour growth and metastasis. These isoforms which vary in the length of the extracellular domain are generated by differential RNA splicing that involves the 10 alternative exons (v1 to v10) encoding the membrane proximal region of the molecule. Several tumours have been shown to over-express CD44 containing the v6 exon, and this, together with other evidence, has led to the suggestion that v6 may play a causative role in tumour metastasis. In this report we have compared the expression of CD44 isoforms between different lung tumour lines, including SCLC, squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma, using both RT-PCR and fluorescent antibody staining with a panel of CD44 exon-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Our results show large differences in vCD44 expression between individual tumour lines. Little or no vCD44 containing the metastasis-associated v6 exon was detected in most tumours, including the highly metastatic SCLC lines. Indeed, the SCLC lines and some squamous-cell carcinomas contained only very low levels of either vCD44 or CD44H, indicating that CD44 expression may not always correlate with tumour development or dissemination. One of the squamous-cell carcinomas studied (HOTZ) was found to express a complex mixture of CD44 splice variants similar to the immortalized normal bronchial epithelial line BEAS-2B. Cloning and sequencing of vCD44 from the HOTZ cell line yielded several splice variants that have also been identified on leukaemic cells, normal keratinocytes and activated peripheral-blood lymphocytes.
ME1 is a monoclonal antibody which is generated by the use of a mesothelioma cell line (SPCIII). The antibody has a preferential reaction to antigens on mesothelial and mesothelioma cells. In a prospective study we determined the reactivity in frozen sections from malignant mesotheliomas (two cases, positive controls), lung tumours (115 cases) and other malignant tumours (23 cases). The two malignant mesotheliomas were immunoreactive in most of the tumour cells. The reaction was strong, often with a diffuse staining of the cytoplasm and in some tumour cells there was heavy staining of the cell membrane. Five adenocarcinomas of the lung (9%), one large cell carcinoma (10%) and 18 squamous cell carcinomas of the lung (41%) were positive (defined as tumours containing more than 10% positive tumour cells with a strong reaction). The same was true for seven out of 23 (30%) extrapulmonary malignancies. The overall nosologic specificity of ME1 was 76%. Twenty out of the 26 ME1-positive lung tumours and six out of seven ME1-positive extrapulmonary malignancies were also positive for one or more markers, which is considered characteristic of carcinomas. The six negative lung tumours were squamous cells carcinomas and the negative extrapulmonary tumour was a meningeoma; all of them with a morphology different to malignant mesothelioma. In conclusion, when frozen sections are available, ME1 might be useful in the differential diagnosis of malignant tumours. However, a positive reaction is not specific for malignant mesothelioma.
While the overall survival of patients with lung cancer has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade, there have been major advances in our understanding of the biology of small cell and non-small cell lung cancer through the study of lung cancer cell lines. Surface molecules associated with lung cancer have been identified and their molecular structure and function are being elucidated. Growth factors which stimulate the lung cancer cells in an autocrine fashion have been identified. Genetic changes of lung cancer cells have been defined on a chromosomal and a molecular level. This review summarizes many biologic properties of lung cancer cells that have been described in the literature.
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Malignant cells frequently acquire a certain independency of exogenous growth factors via the coexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related molecules. In the present study we investigate a possible involvement of EGF-related molecules in the growth of human lung mesothelioma. Four well-characterised cell lines are analysed for their responsiveness to exogenous EGF and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) as well as for coexpression of EGFR and EGF/TGF-alpha. Both growth factors are able to stimulate DNA synthesis in three cell lines, although the degree of responsiveness is very variable, but neither EGF nor TGF-alpha has an effect on the cell line ZL34. In contrast, no heterogeneity is observed in the expression of EGFR, which is similarly high in all cell lines. Analysis of cell supernatants reveals that, whereas no EGF is detected, TGF-alpha is released by two cell lines. Furthermore, these two cell lines, ZL5 and ZL34, are shown to express the membrane anchored precursor pro-TGF-alpha. Thus, coexpression of EGFR and TGF-alpha is observed on two mesothelioma cell lines. The potential autocrine mitogenic role of TGF-alpha in these two cell lines was tested using neutralising antibodies against TGF-alpha and EGFR. In ZL5 cells DNA synthesis was not affected by the presence of neutralising antibodies, indicating that an external autocrine mitogenic pathway is not active in these cells. In ZL34 cells, however, the potential autocrine loop could be disrupted, as DNA synthesis was significantly reduced in the presence of neutralising antibodies. This result gives strong evidence for an autocrine role of TGF-alpha in the growth of the mesothelioma cell line ZL34.
Spheroids of a small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line POC were used to evaluate the uptake and penetration of two antibodies recognising different SCLC antigens. Spheroids approximately 300-400 microns in diameter were incubated with 1 microgram ml-1 125I-labelled NY.3D11, an antibody which reacts with the cluster 1 group antigen (neural cell adhesion molecule; NCAM) and [125I]SWA11, which binds to the cluster w4 antigen. The rate of uptake of both antibodies was similar; an initially rapid phase was seen during the first 8 h and maximum uptake occurred by 24 h. The mean uptake per spheroid at 24 h was 0.97 ng for [125I]NY.3D11 and 0.45 ng for [125I]SWA11. An objective measurement of antibody penetration into spheroids was developed using a computerised image analysis of immunostained sections of spheroids. The concentration of antibody and incubation times were varied. Both antibodies penetrated the spheroids to a depth of 50 microns after 30 min. This increased to about 100 microns after 4 h incubation with 1 or 100 micrograms ml-1 SWA11. The results with 1 microgram ml-1 NY.3D11 were similar, but in the presence of 100 micrograms ml-1 NY.3D11 penetration into the spheroid was deep and diffuse. These results demonstrate a major concentration-dependent difference in the uptake and penetration of cluster 1 and cluster w4 antibodies in this spheroid model and they have implications for the selection of antibodies for targeted therapy of SCLC.
The present study describes a comparison of two potent immunotoxins which utilise an identical targeting component, a monoclonal antibody (SEN7) specific for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), conjugated to two different effector components, blocked ricin (bR) and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE). SEN7 recognises a novel epitope on the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) which is highly associated with SCLC. The immunotoxins SEN7-PE and SEN7-bR were selectively and potently active against a number of SCLC cell lines, of both classic and variant morphologies, inhibiting the incorporation of [3H]leucine with IC50 values ranging between 22 pM and 85 pM and between 7 pM and 62 pM for SEN7-PE and SEN7-bR respectively. Intoxication by both immunotoxins proceeded rapidly following short 2 h lag phases; the initial rates of protein synthesis inhibition occurred with t50 values of 6.5 h for SEN7-PE and 5.5 h for SEN7-bR. Monensin drastically enhanced the cytotoxic activity of the weakly active SEN7-ricin A-chain by 2,100-fold and of SEN7-bR by 80-fold but had no effect on SEN7-PE. In limiting dilution assays, four and more than 4.5 logs of clonogenic SW2 tumour cells were selectively eliminated from the cultures during continuous exposure to the immunotoxins SEN7-PE and SEN7-bR respectively, while antigen-negative cells required up to 1,000-fold more drug for a similar cell kill. SW2 cells surviving SEN7-bR treatment in the cultures did not express NCAM and consequently were not selectively killed by SEN7 immunotoxins. SW2 cells surviving continuous exposure to SEN7-PE showed no alteration in NCAM expression but were more resistant to intoxication mediated by PE. These cells were still sensitive to SEN7-bR.
PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to examine the efficacy and safety of filgrastim after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with poor-risk non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or relapsed Hodgkin's disease were treated in a randomized, open-label trial to study the use of filgrastim as an adjunct to high-dose chemotherapy and ABMT. Of 43 assessable patients, 19 were randomized to receive filgrastim by continuous subcutaneous infusion at a dose of 10 micrograms/kg/d, 10 to filgrastim 20 micrograms/kg/d, and 14 to a parallel control group that received no filgrastim after ABMT. RESULTS: For all filgrastim-treated patients analyzed together, the median time to neutrophil recovery > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L after the day of ABMT was significantly accelerated to 10 days compared with 18 days in control patients (P = .0001). The median number of platelet transfusions was identical in both groups. Clinical parameters, including the median number of days with fever (1 v 4, P = .0418) and neutropenic fever (5 v 13.5, P = .0001) were significantly shorter in the filgrastim than in the control group. The number of days on intravenous antibiotics and duration of hospitalization were also shorter in the treated groups; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance. For patients treated with the two different dose levels of filgrastim, the neutrophil recovery and clinical results were similar. Filgrastim-associated toxicity appeared to be minimal, with five adverse events considered at least possibly related to filgrastim: two in the higher-dose group and three in the lower-dose group. All of these were rated moderate, except one case of severe bone pain that did not preclude continued filgrastim treatment at a lower dose. Survival and relapse-free survival were similar for control and filgrastim-treated patients. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of this first randomized study support the role of filgrastim given as an adjunct to ABMT in accelerating neutrophil recovery, as well as in reducing treatment-related morbidity and overall duration of the treatment procedure.
The monoclonal antibody (MAb SEN31, a mouse IgG1 which recognizes the cluster-5a antigen on small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells, was used to prepare a selective and potent blocked ricin immunotoxin. In a series of experiments in vitro and in a SCLC xenograft model in nude mice, the tumor localization potential of the radiolabeled antibody SEN31 and the anti-tumor activity of the immunotoxin SEN31-bR, the non-specific binding activity of which had been greatly reduced by blocking of the galactose binding domains of the B-chain, was determined. Radiolabeling of SEN31 was performed by linking a 67Ga-labeled desferrioxamine moiety to the oligosaccharide side chains of the antibody in order to preserve the specific cell-binding activity. 67Ga-SEN31 bound to the antigenic sites on cells of the SW2 SCLC cell line, with a dissociation constant of 3.5 nM and, when injected i.v., selectively localized at the site of s.c.-growing SW2 tumor xenografts in nude mice, with a tumor-to-blood ratio of 3.5. The immunotoxin SEN31-bR was potently and selectively active against SCLC cell lines both of classic and of variant morphologies. At a concentration of 300 pM the immunotoxin selectively eliminated 4.5 logs of clonogenic tumor cells. In nude mice, SEN31-bR was cleared from the blood with biphasic kinetics following i.v. injection and maintained a stable serum level during continuous i.p. infusion. The growth of s.c. SW2 solid-tumor xenografts was delayed following a single i.v. injection or a continuous i.p. infusion, each at a non-toxic dose.
In our continuing attempt to select monoclonal antibodies for immunotargeting of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) we have developed the IgG1 murine antibody SEN7 which by immunofluorescence stained all SCLC cell lines tested. On frozen tumor section six of seven SCLCs were positively stained. The reactivity of this antibody in a series of lung tumors and on normal tissues has some similarities with cluster 1 antibodies and cluster w4 antibodies, as defined by the First and Second International Workshop on Lung Cancer Antigens [P.C.L. Beverley, Y. Olabrian, J.A. Ledermann, L.G. Bobrow, and R.L. Souhami, Br. J. Cancer, 63 (Suppl): 10-19, 1991], particularly with regard to staining of neuroendocrine tissues. The similarities in staining of neuroendocrine tissues between antibody SEN7 and cluster 1 and cluster w4 antibodies prompted us to examine the binding of SEN7 with transfectants expressing the respective antigens. On the murine lymphoma cells B-9, stably transfected with a complementary DNA clone coding for an M(r) 140,000 isoform of human SCLC neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), antibody SEN7 reacted positively whereas the cluster w4 antibody was negative. The reaction of antibody SEN7 with the NCAM transfected murine lymphoma cells was unexpected in view of its lack of binding to peripheral blood mononuclear cells which regularly stain positive with NCAM antibodies. Western blotting of a renatured SCLC extract revealed a strong band around M(r) 180,000 in contrast to other cluster 1 antibodies which recognized a broad polydisperse band with a molecular weight of 140,000 to 210,000. Antibody binding was sensitive to tunicamycin treatment, suggesting the epitope to reside on an N-linked carbohydrate structure. No significant competition for SEN7 binding on SCLC cells was seen with other NCAM antibodies against the three distinct epitopes described on SCLC. This finding together with the lack of staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the selected reactivity with the M(r) 180,000 band of NCAM indicate the antibody SEN7 recognizes an epitope on NCAM which has not been described previously. Biodistribution studies with radiolabeled SEN7 in nude mice bearing s.c. SCLC xenografts demonstrated the selective localization of more than 30% of the total injected dose per g tissue at day 4 following i.v. injection. The homogeneous binding to SCLC, the lack of binding to peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the favorable tumor localization in a xenograft model indicates that SEN7 is a good antibody for immunotargeting of SCLC.
Clinical results of the treatment of malignant lymphomas with a high risk of relapse by dose intensification and autologous bone marrow transplantation are reported. Since 1988, 68 patients with a median age of 34 years (range 16 to 56 years) received dose intensification, including 25 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in first remission (12 lymphoblastic or Burkitt's lymphomas and 13 large cell lymphomas with risk factors), 20 aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in chemosensitive relapse, and 23 Hodgkin's lymphomas in chemosensitive relapse. The calculated 3-year overall survival and relapse-free survival was 72% (CI: 57-82%) and 61% (CI: 47-73%) respectively. Treatment related deaths were seen in 4.4%. The median duration of hospitalization was 30 days (range 19-51 days). The relapse-free 3-year survival for the separate treatment groups was 80% for lymphoblastic and Burkitt's lymphomas in first remission, 77% for large cell lymphomas with clinical risk factors in first remission, 39% for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in chemosensitive relapse, and 59% for Hodgkin's lymphomas in chemosensitive relapse. These excellent results were obtained with acceptable toxicity and justify the use of dose intensification for a group of young patients with high risk lymphomas.
The therapeutic efficacy of an immunotoxin, SWAII-SPDB-dg.ricin A chain, recognizing the leukocyte-differentiation antigen CD24, was evaluated against SCLC cell lines in tissue culture and in 2 nude-mouse models. The first model used conventional s.c. solid-tumor xenografts. The second used small tumor-cell deposits established in s.c. implanted sponge matrices and allowed us to directly estimate the killing efficiency of the immunotoxin under experimentally defined conditions in vivo. It also mimics the clinical setting of disseminated tumor cells which form the basis of residual disease in SCLC. The cytotoxic potency of SWAII-SPDB-dg.ricin A chain was demonstrated in tissue culture by the inhibition of 3H-leucine incorporation and by the selective elimination of CD24-positive tumor cells in clonogenic assays. In nude mice, SWAII-SPDB-dg.ricin A chain was cleared from the blood circulation with biphasic kinetics: an initial alpha phase of 1 hr and a second beta phase of 20.5 hr. Following i.v. injection of a dose equivalent to 30% of the LD50, the immunotoxin delayed the growth of SW2 solid-tumor xenografts by 16 days. The therapeutic efficacy of SWAII-SPDB-dg.ricin A chain was further demonstrated by the selective elimination of clonogenic SW2 cells from small tumor-cell deposits established in sponge matrices. Regrowth of the solid tumors after the initial response and the clonogenic activity in the sponge-derived cell population were mediated by CD24-positive cells, excluding the selection of CD24-negative mutants during immunotoxin therapy.
In the search for new therapeutic concepts in lung cancer chemotherapy, suramin, a potential anticancer drug which evades multidrug resistance, was tested in vitro on 25 lung-derived cell lines, either non-tumorigenic cells, or established cell lines from five different tumour types. Suramin treatment resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation, except in one adenocarcinoma cell line where DNA synthesis was highly stimulated. [3H]Leucine incorporation was less affected, indicating that suramin acted cytostatically rather than cytotoxically. Our results show that suramin affected DNA synthesis of the different types of lung derived cells, including non-tumorigenic and tumour cell lines, to a similar extent.
The biodistribution of radiolabelled SWA11, a mouse monoclonal antibody recognising the cluster w4 group antigen associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was studied in patients with SCLC. Five patients were injected intravenously with approximately 5 mCi of 131I conjugated to 1 mg of SWA11. The half-life of the radiolabel in blood was short but there was a prolonged second phase of clearance with a half-life of about 40 h. Tumour was detected by gamma camera imaging two patients. However, most of the whole body radioactivity was located in the bone marrow. At least 35% of the radioactivity in blood 18 h after injection was bound to circulating granulocytes and this probably accounted for the unusual biodistribution of the radiolabel in man. This study shows that the biodistribution of radiolabelled SWA11 in man differs from human tumour xenograft models and that the antibody in unsuitable for targeting therapy to SCLC in man.
BACKGROUND: The late effects of chemotherapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on gonadal function are largely unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study the gonadal function after chemotherapy with MACOP-B or VACOP-B with or without dose intensification and ABMT in first remission was examined in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by patient history and determination of hormonal function. Thirty adult patients of age 40 or less at diagnosis who were alive and free of relapse for at least 1 year after completion of chemotherapy were included in the study. RESULTS: With a median time of 28 months (range 11 to 62 months) after completion of therapy, gonadal dysfunction was found in 1 of 7 female and none of 15 male patients, or a total of 5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Of patients receiving dose intensification and ABMT in first remission, gonadal dysfunction was present in 2/6 (33%) treated with cyclophosphamide, BCNU and etoposide in 3/4 treated with cyclophosphamide and TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that therapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with MACOP-B or VACOP-B has little impact on future fertility and that fertility may be preserved in the majority of patients receiving dose-intensification with CBV in first remission.