Combination therapy with a synthetic peptide of C-reactive protein and interleukin 2: augmented survival and eradication of pulmonary metastases

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 1994 Jan;38(1):38-42. doi: 10.1007/BF01517168.

Abstract

A synthetic peptide (RS-83277) derived from the structure of human C-reactive protein (CRP) was previously shown to have antitumor activity in three different murine tumor models when administered in multilamellar vesicles (MLV). The therapeutic effects were comparable to those seen with MLV-encapsulated native CRP. The present study evaluated the therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects of administering CRP peptide RS-83277 MLV simultaneously with low-dose recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) to C57Bl/6 mice bearing established pulmonary metastases of fibrosarcoma T241. Results demonstrated that the capacity of RS-83277 MLV to inhibit tumor metastases and prolong survival was significantly augmented by combination with 10,000 U/day IL-2 i.p. Treated animals showed no evidence of toxicity. By immunohistochemistry, increased Thy 1.2+ cells were detectable in lungs of RS-83277 MLV/IL-2-treated animals compared to those receiving RS-83277 MLV alone. Circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and interferon (IFN) were not detectable in animals receiving RS-83277 MLV alone, but TNF was significantly elevated in animals receiving IL-2. In the presence of combination therapy, however, circulating TNF was not detectable. Results suggest that the combination of synthetic CRP peptide RS-83277 MLV and low-dose IL-2 offers a therapeutic advantage over either agent alone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • C-Reactive Protein / chemistry
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Carriers
  • Fibrosarcoma / mortality
  • Fibrosarcoma / secondary
  • Fibrosarcoma / therapy*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage
  • Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use*
  • Liposomes
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peptides / administration & dosage
  • Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-2
  • Liposomes
  • Peptides
  • RS 83277
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • C-Reactive Protein