Therapeutic anti-tumor immunity triggered by injections of immunostimulating single-stranded RNA

Eur J Immunol. 2006 Oct;36(10):2807-16. doi: 10.1002/eji.200635910.

Abstract

Stabilized synthetic RNA oligonucleotides (ORN) and protected messenger RNA (mRNA) were recently discovered to possess an immunostimulatory capacity through their recognition by TLR 7 and 8. We wanted to find out whether this danger signal is capable of triggering anti-tumor immunity when injected locally into an established tumor. Using the mouse glioma tumor cell line SMA-560 in syngenic VM/Dk mice, we were able to show that intra-tumor injections of protamine-stabilized mRNA do indeed induce tumor regression and long-term anti-tumor immunity. Residual RNA-injected tumors show CD8 infiltration. Distant injections of protamine-protected mRNA and intra-tumor injection of naked mRNA also result in anti-tumor immunity. Although they are strong danger signals, RNA are labile molecules with a short half-life: they do not trigger side effects such as long-term, uncontrolled immunostimulation evidenced by splenomegaly in CpG DNA-treated mice. In conclusion, RNA molecules are potent and safe danger signals that are relevant for active immunotherapy strategies aimed at the eradication of solid tumors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • CpG Islands / immunology
  • DNA / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
  • Protamines / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Protamines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • DNA