A novel therapeutic vaccine of mouse GM-CSF surface modified MB49 cells against metastatic bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Immunotherapy is considered effective for muscle invasive bladder cancer mini metastasis. We developed what is to our knowledge a novel technology by which streptavidin tagged mouse GM-CSF was displayed on the surface of biotinylated bladder cancer cells to induce antitumor immunity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse subcutaneous and lung metastasis bladder cancer models were established. Mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 × 10(6) mouse GM-CSF surface modified MB49 bladder cancer cells and monitored for tumor growth and survival. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometric assay were done to assess the proportion of T lymphocytes. The T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity assay was performed to assess MB49 specific cytotoxicity. On day 60 after MB49 implantation the vaccine cured mice were injected subcutaneously with MB49 or RM-1 cells in the left or right hind leg, respectively. They were monitored for survival and T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity.
RESULTS: Mouse GM-CSF surface modified vaccine significantly inhibited tumor growth in the subcutaneous model and extended survival in the lung model. More CD4 and CD8 T cells appeared at tumor sites and in peripheral blood in the vaccine treated group than in other control groups. Splenocytes from the vaccine treated group showed the most potent cytotoxicity on MB49 cells. Cured mice in the vaccine treated group resisted the second injection of MB49 bladder cancer cells but not the RM-1 prostate cancer cell challenge.
CONCLUSIONS: Mouse GM-CSF surface modified MB49 bladder cancer cell vaccine induced specific antitumor immunity and was efficient for metastatic bladder cancer.