Effective tumor vaccine generated by fusion of hepatoma cells with activated B cells

Science. 1994 Jan 28;263(5146):518-20. doi: 10.1126/science.7507262.

Abstract

Fusion of BERH-2 rat hepatocellular carcinoma cells with activated B cells produced hybrid cells that lost their tumorigenicity and became immunogenic. Syngeneic rats injected with BERH-2-B hybrid cells became resistant to challenge with parental BERH-2 cells, and rats with established BERH-2 hepatomas were cured by subsequent injection of BERH-2-B cells. Both CD4+ and CD8+ cells were essential for the induction of protective immunity; however, only CD8+ cells were required for the eradication of BERH-2 tumors. The generation of hybrid tumor cells that elicit antitumor immune responses may be a useful strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B7-1 Antigen / analysis
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Fusion
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / analysis
  • Hybrid Cells / immunology*
  • Immunotherapy, Active
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • B7-1 Antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Vaccines