Treatment of hepatic metastasis of the colon26 adenocarcinoma with an alpha-galactosylceramide, KRN7000.

Colorectal liver metastasis is clinically a major problem. We examined the antitumor activity of KRN7000, an alpha-galactosylceramide, on mice with liver metastases of adenocarcinoma Colon26 cells. KRN7000 treatment, beginning 1 day after tumor inoculation (day 1), significantly inhibited tumor growth in the liver, and its potency was equal to that of interleukin 12. KRN7000 treatment from day 3 caused regression of established Colon26 nodules. KRN7000 administration resulted in a high percentage of cured mice that acquired tumor-specific immunity. In addition, it appeared that highly activated, liver-associated natural killer cells made the major contribution to the killing of Colon26 cells in the liver. These results suggest that KRN7000 may be useful for the treatment of colorectal liver metastasis.