Renal cell carcinoma tumor cells are intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy, but unlike most solid tumors, may be susceptible to immune-based therapy. Because powerful immune effects can be generated against hematological malignancies following allogeneic stem cell transplantation, we investigated for similar anti-tumor responses in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma following the transplantation of an allogeneic immune system from a healthy HLA-matched family donor. Early laboratory and clinical results have demonstrated that following a reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant, donor T-cell mediated anti-tumor effects, resulting in sustained and sometimes complete tumor regression, can be generated against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) refractory to conventional cytokine-based therapy. Early data indicate that cytotoxic T cells of donor origin are the mediators of these anti-tumor effects. These preliminary studies provide additional evidence supporting the susceptibility of RCC to immune attack and lay the foundation for future targeted allo-immune-based cancer strategies.
Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel