| First Author | Wigginton JM | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 169 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 4467-74 |
| PubMed ID | 12370382 | Mgi Jnum | J:109850 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3630026 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.169.8.4467 |
| Citation | Wigginton JM, et al. (2002) Synergistic engagement of an ineffective endogenous anti-tumor immune response and induction of IFN-gamma and Fas-ligand-dependent tumor eradication by combined administration of IL-18 and IL-2. J Immunol 169(8):4467-74 |
| abstractText | IFN-gamma is a critical component of the endogenous and many cytokine-induced antitumor immune responses. In this study we have shown that the combination of IL-18 and IL-2 (IL-18/IL-2) synergistically enhances IFN-gamma production both in vitro and in vivo, and synergizes in vivo to induce complete durable regression of well-established 3LL tumors in >80% of treated mice. We have observed a nascent, but ineffective, host immune response against 3LL that depends on endogenous IFN-gamma and IL-12 production and the Fas/Fas ligand (Fas-L) pathway. The combined administration of IL-18/IL-2 engages this endogenous response to induce tumor regression via a mechanism that is independent of NK and NKT cells or IL-12, but is critically dependent on CD8(+) T cells, IFN-gamma, and the Fas/Fas-L pathway. These studies demonstrate the importance of IFN-gamma as well as the Fas/Fas-L pathway in both endogenous and cytokine-driven antitumor immune responses engaged by IL-18/IL-2 and provide preclinical impetus for clinical investigation of this potent anti-tumor combination. |