Gene transfer into humans - immunotherapy of patients with advanced melanoma, using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes modified by retroviral gene transduction

Article Abstract:

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are a type of white blood cell that can infiltrate solid tumors and cause tumor regression in selected cases. TIL can be produced by placing lymphocytes removed from tumors into a tissue culture environment containing a lymphokine, interleukin-2 (IL-2). IL-2 is a naturally occurring protein that is made by white blood cells (leukocytes) and improves the response of leukocytes to infection. IL-2 is being studied as a possible treatment for malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer that shows a high propensity for metastatic spread; the prognosis for malignant melanoma is poor if it is not detected before metastasis occurs. Responses to treatment with TIL and interleukin-2 (IL-2) by patients with this cancer have so far been encouraging. There have been concerns, however, about the ability of TIL cells to remain in these patients. To examine this and other issues, a foreign gene that was resistant to the antibiotic neomycin was inserted into the genetic structure of TIL cells. This served to label the TIL cells so that they could be detected in tissue samples removed after treatment. Gene-modified TIL cells were injected into five patients with advanced melanoma, and the cells were seen to survive both within the tumor and in the general circulation for an extended period of time (as great as 64 days following treatment in one case). Aside from the usefulness of this study in determining the biology of TIL cells, this experiment is historic in that it is the first use of gene transfer in humans approved by the National Institutes of Health. To gain approval required the safety and ethical issues of the experiment to be considered. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Genetic engineering, Melanoma, Interleukin-2, Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

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Shedding light on immunotherapy for cancer

Article Abstract:

Cancer therapy based on the ability to sensitize and expand, ex vivo, autologous lymphocytes with the ability to recognize, reach, and destroy cancer cells, can overcome the obstacles to the development of effective cancer treatment. According to a recent study, this approach resulted in the regression of metastatic melanoma refractory to standard treatment in 46 percent of patients.

United States, Science & research, HEALTH SERVICES, Cancer Therapy, Ambulatory Health Care Services, Evaluation, Cancer, Cancer treatment, Immunotherapy, Cancer regression

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A randomized trial of bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, for metastatic renal cancer

Article Abstract:

The drug bevacizumab may be effective in treating a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma, according to a study of 116 patients. This drug is a monoclonal antibody that blocks vascular endothelial growth factor. Although the drug did not improve survival rates, it slowed the progression of the disease when given at a dose of 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

Monoclonal antibodies, Carcinoma, Renal cell, Renal cell carcinoma

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