Impaired function of gamma-delta lymphocytes in melanoma patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Melanoma is an immunogenic tumour but, despite the wide range of immunotherapies tested, only few promising results have been reported to date. Both in vitro and in xenograft models, γδ lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against melanoma cells has been reported. IL-2/zoledronate treatment can expand γδ cells in vitro and in animal models. This could represent an immunotherapeutic strategy against melanoma. To evaluate the feasibility of this approach, we studied γδ lymphocyte phenotype from patients with melanoma, their ability to be expanded by IL-2/zoledronate and their cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL-30 cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 30 patients with melanoma and 10 healthy donors. Percentage of γδ lymphocytes and CD45RO+CD27+, CD45RA+CD27-, CD57+, Vγ9Vδ2 subpopulations were evaluated by flow cytometry. IL-2/zoledronate γδ cell expansion rate and their cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-30 cell line were studied.

RESULTS:

A percentage decrease in circulating Vγ9Vδ2 and an increase in CD45RA+CD27- and CD57+ γδ lymphocytes were observed in melanoma. IL-2/zoledronate expansion rate did not differ between controls and patients with melanoma but cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-30 appeared reduced.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results show that γδ cell function is impaired in patients with advanced melanoma and suggest a possible role in tumour progression.

• Authors: Iacopo Petrini, Simone Pacini, Sara Galimberti, Maria R Taddei, Antonella Romanini, Mario Petrini
• Journal: European journal of clinical investigation (Eur J Clin Invest) Vol. 41 Issue 11 Pg. 1186-94 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1365-2362 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22775565 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2011 The Authors. European Journal of Clinical Investigation © 2011 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

Chemical References

• Bone Density Conservation Agents
• Diphosphonates
• Imidazoles
• Interleukin-2
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
• Zoledronic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Bone Density Conservation Agents (pharmacology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cell Line, Tumor (immunology)
• Cytotoxicity, Immunologic (immunology)
• Diphosphonates (pharmacology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Imidazoles (pharmacology)
• Immunophenotyping
• Interleukin-2 (pharmacology)
• Lymphocyte Count
• Lymphocytes (drug effects, immunology)
• Male
• Melanoma (immunology, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta (physiology)
• Skin Neoplasms (immunology, pathology)
• Zoledronic Acid