COMBINATION THERAPY WITH FUMAGILLIN AND VACCINATION WITH TUMOR-DERIVED ANTIGENIC PEPTIDES IN B16 MELANOMA-TRANSPLANTED MICE

We established the antigen-presenting cell line RMA-S/mCD80 expressing mouse CD80. RMA-S is an antigen processing-defective mutant originati ng from RMA lymphoma and can be loaded with exogenous immunogenic pept ides on the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules . After immunization with RMA-S or RMA-S/mCD80 loaded with B16 melanom a-derived peptides, only RMA-S/mCD80 pulsed with B16 melanoma-derived peptides showed antitumor effects against B16 melanoma in vivo. Howeve r, it showed little enhancement of survival. On the other hand, fumagi llin, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, suppressed B16 melanoma growth and showed a survival promoting effect. Combination therapy with fumagill in and vaccination with B16 melanoma-derived peptides strongly inhibit ed tumor growth and promoted survival more than fumagillin therapy alo ne. These results suggest that vaccination with poorly immunogenic tum or-derived peptides combined with antitumor drugs, such as anti-angiog enic compounds, may be useful. (C) 1998 International Society for Immu nopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .