Radiation Therapy Enhances Antitumor Effect of Anti-CD137 Therapy in Mouse Glioma Model

Scientists from the United States have reported new findings in radiation research that show the combination of radiotherapy and anti-CD137 therapy can effectively treat brain tumors in mice. The study, which was published in Radiation Research, involved testing the combination of radiotherapy with an immunotherapeutic approach using an anti-CD137 antibody. The results showed that the combination resulted in complete tumor eradication and prolonged survival in 67% of mice with established brain tumors.

Key Takeaways:

• The combination of radiotherapy and anti-CD137 therapy resulted in complete tumor eradication and prolonged survival in 67% of mice with established brain tumors.
• The CD137 antibody has shown promise in generating effective antitumor responses in several animal models and has demonstrated a favorable toxicity profile in the clinic.
• The researchers found that the combination of radiation and anti-CD137 therapy led to an increased number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in brain tumors and increased tumor-specific production of gammaIFN.
• The study suggests that the approach of combining radiation and anti-CD137 therapy should be studied further for clinical translation.
• The researchers concluded that this approach has the potential to generate effective antitumor immunity in brain tumors.

Statistics:

• 67% of mice with established brain tumors showed complete tumor eradication and prolonged survival after the combination of radiotherapy and anti-CD137 therapy.
• 83% of long-term survivors in the combination group demonstrated antitumor immunity by rejecting challenge tumors.
• The study involved testing the combination of radiotherapy (4 Gy x 2) with an immunotherapeutic approach using an anti-CD137 antibody.

Sources:

• Newcomb, E. W., et al. (2010). "Radiotherapy enhances antitumor effect of anti-CD137 therapy in a mouse glioma model." Radiation Research, 173(4), 426-432.
• Vaccine Weekly editors. (2010). "Radiation therapy enhances antitumor effect of anti-CD137 therapy in mouse glioma model." NewsRx.com.