Interleukin-21 and rituximab enhance NK cell functionality in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
2011; Elsevier BV; Volume: 35; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.leukres.2011.02.006
ISSN1873-5835
AutoresChristian Winther Eskelund, Line Nederby, Anna Hammerich Thysen, Anni Skovbo, Anne Stidsholt Roug, Marianne Hokland,
Tópico(s)Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
ResumoWe have examined natural killer (NK) cell functionality of 54 B-CLL patients upon in vitro stimulation with interleukin-21 (IL-21), together with the anti-CD20 antibody, rituximab. Upon stimulation with rituximab-coated target cells IFN-γ production was reduced in patients’ NK cells compared to healthy donors’, while both natural- and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) was normal. Following additional stimulation with IL-21, IFN-γ production, natural cytotoxicity and ADCC were significantly augmented in patients. A complete restoration of IFN-γ production, however, required the depletion of malignant cells prior to stimulation. Collectively, our data show that NK cells of B-CLL patients are reversibly inhibited, but that their functionality can be normalized by stimulation with IL-21 and when inhibitory effects of the malignant B-CLL cells are eliminated by depletion.
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