Target cell-restricted apoptosis induction of acute leukemic T cells by a recombinant tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand fusion protein with specificity for human CD7

E Bremer, DF Samplonius, M Peipp, L van Genne, BJ Kroesen, GH Fey, M Gramatzki, LFMH de Leij, W Helfrich*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Current treatment of human T-cell leukemia and lymphoma is predominantly limited to conventional cytotoxic therapy and is associated with limited therapeutic response and significant morbidity. Therefore, more potent and leukemia-specific therapies with favorable toxicity profiles are urgently needed. Here, we report on the construction of a novel therapeutic fusion protein, scFvCD7:sTRAIL, designed to induce target antigen-restricted apoptosis in human T-cell tumors. ScFvCD7:sTRAIL consists of the death-inducing tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) genetically linked to an scFv antibody fragment specific for the T-cell surface antigen CD7. Treatment with scFvCD7:sTRAIL induced potent CD7-restricted apoptosis in a series of malignant T-cell lines, whereas normal resting leukocytes, activated T cells, and vascular endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) showed no detectable apoptosis. The apoptosis-inducing activity of scFvCD7: sTRAIL was stronger than that of the immunotoxin scFvCD7:ETA. In mixed culture experiments with CD7-positive and CD7-negative tumor cells, scFvCD7:sTRAIL induced very potent bystander apoptosis of CD7-negative tumor cells. In vitro treatment of blood cells freshly derived from T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients resulted in marked apoptosis of the malignant T cells that was strongly augmented by vincristin. In conclusion, scFvCD7:sTRAIL is a novel recombinant protein causing restricted apoptosis in human leukemic T cells with low toxicity for normal human blood and endothelial cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3380-3388
Number of pages9
JournalCancer Research
Volume65
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 15-Apr-2005

Keywords

  • ACUTE MYELOID-LEUKEMIA
  • HEPATIC VENOOCCLUSIVE DISEASE
  • UMBILICAL-CORD BLOOD
  • MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY
  • DEATH DOMAIN
  • ANTIGEN-EXPRESSION
  • CHAIN IMMUNOTOXIN
  • TRAIL RECEPTORS
  • IN-VIVO
  • PHASE-I

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Target cell-restricted apoptosis induction of acute leukemic T cells by a recombinant tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand fusion protein with specificity for human CD7'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this