ACTIVATION OF MULTIPLE EFFECTOR MECHANISMS TO ENHANCE TUMOR-IMMUNOTHERAPY

Recent technical advances have enabled the generation of clinical reag ents for immunotherapy. Currently, treatment protocols combining both interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor-specific monoclonal antibody are underw ay at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center and else where. These approaches are based on the hypothesis that IL-2-activate d lymphocytes will use tumor-reactive antibody to more selectively and effectively destroy tumor in vivo. Just as IL-2 can activate lymphocy tes to destroy antibody-coated tumor cells, other agents can activate neutrophils and monocytes to destroy antibody-treated tumor cells. We are investigating, in the laboratory and clinic, approaches aimed at e ventually using combinations of distinct antibody-based tumor recognit ion mechanisms in patients whose monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocyt es have been simultaneously activated with multiple biologic agents.