Combined Suicide and Cytokine Gene Therapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

in Gut (2000), 47(3), 343-8

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy is a novel approach for the treatment of cancers, and tumours disseminated in the peritoneal cavity are suitable for in situ delivery of a therapeutic gene. AIMS: The efficacy of ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy is a novel approach for the treatment of cancers, and tumours disseminated in the peritoneal cavity are suitable for in situ delivery of a therapeutic gene. AIMS: The efficacy of a therapy combining a suicide gene (herpes simplex virus type I thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)) and cytokine genes was investigated in a model of peritoneal carcinomatosis induced by colon carcinoma cells in syngeneic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pre-established macroscopic tumours in BDIX rats were treated by intraperitoneal injections of retrovirus producing cells (FLYA13 TK, FLYA13 granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), FLYA13 interleukin 12 (IL-12)) and ganciclovir (GCV). RESULTS: TK/GCV treated animals showed a slight increase in survival time (72 days) compared with the control group (63 days) while the association of cytokine and TK/GCV gene therapy resulted in significantly improved survival, with a large proportion of animals remaining tumour free on day 480 (60% and 40% for TK/GCV/GM-CSF and TK/GCV/IL-12 treated animals, respectively). Histological analysis of treated animals showed that the remaining tumour nodes were infiltrated by mononuclear cells but no major differences were observed between the various treatments. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that lymphoid CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells as well as macrophages accumulated outside untreated tumour nodes while CD8(+) and CD25(+) activated T cells and macrophages heavily infiltrated the tumours after the different treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that combined suicide and cytokine gene therapy is a powerful approach for the treatment of macroscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis. [less ▲]

Adenocarcinome pancreatique: role de l'anatomie pathologique

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2000), 55(3), 135-40

Duct cell adenocarcinoma is by far the most frequent neoplasm of the pancreas, accounting for about 80% of malignant tumors. In this report, we describe the main diagnostic pitfalls of this cancer in ... [more ▼]

Duct cell adenocarcinoma is by far the most frequent neoplasm of the pancreas, accounting for about 80% of malignant tumors. In this report, we describe the main diagnostic pitfalls of this cancer in routine or frozen sections, as well as the help of immunohistology to make the differential diagnosis. We also discuss the potential interest of tumor markers for evaluating the prognosis of these tumors and provide information about the creation of a Web site (URL: http://www.ebm.lib.ulg.ac.be/index.htm) created to help clinicians exploit the laboratory results. [less ▲]

Combined Interferon-Gamma and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Treatment Differentially Affects Adhesion and Migration of Keratinocyte-Derived Cells to Laminin-1

in Cell Adhesion and Communication (2000), 7(4), 321-9

Interactions with the extracellular matrix constitute basic steps in cervix carcinoma cell invasion. In this study, we examined the adhesion and migration profiles of two human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA ... [more ▼]

Interactions with the extracellular matrix constitute basic steps in cervix carcinoma cell invasion. In this study, we examined the adhesion and migration profiles of two human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA-transfected keratinocyte-derived cell lines, EIL8 and 18-11S3, and of the cervix adenocarcinoma SiHa cell line, towards laminin-1, and the selective effect of a 24-72 h treatment of 1000 U/ml interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a treatment that significantly decreases cervix carcinoma cell proliferation and progression in nude mice, on these parameters. Compared to normal cervix keratinocytes (CK) and two HPV DNA-transfected keratinocyte cell lines, in basal conditions, the SiHa cell line was characterized by increased attachment (SiHa, 48.74 +/- 4.02 vs. normal keratinocytes, 4.32 +/- 0.40, EIL8, 17.80 +/- 3.03 and 18-11S3, 17.82 +/- 1.48% of attached cells after 30 min) and marked directed chemotactic migration towards laminin-1. Interestingly, treatment of the cells with the cytokines (1000 U/ml IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) did not modulate the adhesion properties of the cells, but chemotactic migration of SiHa cells to laminin-1 was significantly decreased, while migration towards type I collagen was increased. Similar results were obtained with the Ca Ski cervix carcinoma cell line. Our results emphasize the altered pattern of interactions of cervix carcinoma cells with extracellular matrix components such as laminin-1, compared to normal and pre-neoplastic cells, and contributes to the understanding of the effects of cytokine treatment on cervix carcinoma cells. [less ▲]

Creation of a Web site about Evidence-Based Medicine

in Proceedings of the 8th International Congress on Medical librarianship. (2000)

Evaluation pronostique des tumeurs solides humaines par immunohistologie

in Revue Médicale de Liège (1999), 54(8), 677-82

The aim of this project is to evaluate the interest of new tumor markers in the most frequent solid tumors (breast, colon, prostatic cancers, ...). For each of these tumors, potential prognostic markers ... [more ▼]

The aim of this project is to evaluate the interest of new tumor markers in the most frequent solid tumors (breast, colon, prostatic cancers, ...). For each of these tumors, potential prognostic markers have been selected according to the literature and an immunohistologic technique has been developed to analyse them. We will first discuss the role of pathology in oncology, then briefly describe the analyzed markers and finally give information about a Web site (URL: http:/(/)www.ebm. lib.ulg.ac.be/index.htm) created to help clinicians exploit the laboratory results. [less ▲]

Colonization of in vitro-formed cervical human papillomavirus-associated (pre)neoplastic lesions with dendritic cells: role of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor

in American Journal of Pathology (1999), 154(3), 775-784

Tnf-Alpha and Ifn-Gamma Down-Regulate the Expression of the Metastasis-Associated Bi-Functional 37lrp/P40 Gene and Protein in Transformed Keratinocytes

in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (1998), 251(2), 564-9

The 37 LRP/p40 molecule is a bi-functional protein in which expression is increased in a large variety of cancers in association with their metastatic phenotype. Here we present the first data concerning ... [more ▼]

The 37 LRP/p40 molecule is a bi-functional protein in which expression is increased in a large variety of cancers in association with their metastatic phenotype. Here we present the first data concerning the 37 LRP/p40 gene promoter activity and show that it is very active in a cervix carcinoma cell line. Interestingly, despite hallmarks of a housekeeping gene, we show that the 37 LRP/p40 gene promoter can be down-regulated by two potentially anticancerous cytokines, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. In addition, the dual fate of the protein, i.e., being intracellularly involved in the cell translation machinery and incorporated into a 67-kDa cell surface protein functioning as a laminin receptor (67LR), is differentially affected by the treatment. Our data suggest multiple regulation levels in the control of the 67LR/37LRP/p40 molecule expression and uncover new clues for the understanding of both the control of expression of this metastasis-associated molecule and the IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha anticancerous action. [less ▲]

In Vitro Propagated Dendritic Cells from Patients with Human-Papilloma Virus-Associated Preneoplastic Lesions of the Uterine Cervix: Use of Flt3 Ligand

in Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy (1998), 47(2), 81-9

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most efficient antigen presenting cells. The clinical use of DC as vectors for antitumor and anti-infectious disease immunotherapy has been limited by their low level and ... [more ▼]

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most efficient antigen presenting cells. The clinical use of DC as vectors for antitumor and anti-infectious disease immunotherapy has been limited by their low level and accessibility in normal tissue. Substantial numbers of DC can be generated from peripheral blood cultured in the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We showed in this study that substantial numbers of DC can be obtained from the peripheral blood of patients with (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix. The procedure required relatively small blood samples (10 ml) and the presence of 100 U/ml IL-4 and 800 U/ml GM-CSF in the culture medium. There was no significant difference in the morphology, yield, phenotype and function of generated DC between patients with cervical (pre)neoplastic lesions and healthy individuals. When the hematopoietic factor Flt3 ligand (Flt3L, 40 ng;ml) was added, there was an average increase in the DC population of 26% compared to cultures with GM-CSF and IL-4 alone. Approximately 1.2 x 10(6) cells with the characteristics of dendritic cells could be obtained when Flt3L was included in the medium. The addition of Flt3L did not modify the phenotypic profile of DC (HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD4+, CD54+, CD80+, CD86+. CD40+, CD3- and CD14-). In addition, Flt3L generated functional DC capable of stimulating the proliferation of alloreactive T cells. These results suggest that Flt3L, in association with GM-CSF and IL-4, provides an advantageous tool for the large-scale generation of DC and that an immunotherapy based on the use of DC generated in vitro is possible in patients with (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix. [less ▲]

Organotypic Culture of HPV-Transformed Keratinocytes: A Model for Testing Lymphocyte Infiltration of (Pre)Neoplastic Lesions of the Uterine Cervix

in Virchows Archiv : An International Journal of Pathology (1998), 432(4), 323-30

The aim of our study was to establish the relevance of an in vitro model for analysing the ability of human lymphocytes to infiltrate human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated (pre)neoplastic lesions of the ... [more ▼]

The aim of our study was to establish the relevance of an in vitro model for analysing the ability of human lymphocytes to infiltrate human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix. To mimic these lesions, we have used the organotypic raft culture of HPV-transformed keratinocytes (SiHa). The SiHa organotypic raft culture was co-cultured with resting or prestimulated (IL-2 or IL-2+anti-CD3 mAb) allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for 24 and 72 h. The majority of infiltrating cells were T lymphocytes. Occasional NK cells were also identified. The stimulation with IL-2+anti-CD3 mAb induced the highest number of infiltrating cells, with the maximum lymphocyte infiltration observed after 24 h of co-culture. The lymphocyte infiltration was associated with an increased number of apoptotic cells in the organotypic cultures. The ability of PBMC and purified T cell and NK cell populations to lyse HPV-transformed keratinocytes was also investigated on monolayer cultures. As expected in an allogenic model, the highest cytotoxicity was mediated by NK cells activated by IL-2 or IL-2+anti-CD3 mAb. The cytotoxic activity of T cells was weak but, interestingly, increased in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA), assuming that T cells were able to kill HPV-infected keratinocytes when a bridge between T cells and keratinocytes was provided. In conclusion, the organotypic culture of HPV-transformed keratinocytes may provide an effective in vitro model for investigating novel T cell-based immunotherapy protocols for the treatment of HPV-associated lesions. [less ▲]

Inverse Modulation of Il-10 and Il-12 in the Blood of Women with Preneoplastic Lesions of the Uterine Cervix

in Clinical & Experimental Immunology (1998), 111(1), 219-24

It has been postulated that an impaired immune response may contribute to the progression of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated preneoplastic lesions. Based on this hypothesis, we evaluated the ... [more ▼]

It has been postulated that an impaired immune response may contribute to the progression of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated preneoplastic lesions. Based on this hypothesis, we evaluated the cytokine production in the blood of patients with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the uterine cervix. The levels of type-1 (interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-12) and type-2(IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines were measured in whole blood culture supernatants of patients with low- and high-grade SIL and control women. There was no difference in IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels between patients with SIL and the control group. In contrast, the ratio of IL-12/IL-10 levels was significantly lower in patients with SIL compared with the control group. A lower IL-12/IL-10 ratio in women with SIL was also observed when peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture supernatants and plasma samples were analysed. In patients, neither the lower expression of the CD3epsilon chain nor the higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*1501 expression could be correlated with abnormal cytokine production. These results suggest that a part of the cytokine network, namely IL-10 and IL-12, is perturbed in patients with SIL. A better knowledge of the role of these cytokines in regulating the growth of HPV-associated SIL might have practical implications for the development of vaccines or immunomodulatory strategies in the treatment of cervical cancers. [less ▲]