An anti-transferrin receptor antibody enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on human non-hematopoietic tumor cells

Int Immunopharmacol. 2008 Dec 20;8(13-14):1813-20. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2008.08.022. Epub 2008 Sep 24.

Abstract

Transferrin receptor (TfR) has been used as a target for antibody-based therapy of cancer. Combining anti-TfR antibodies with chemotherapeutic drugs shows potential as one of the strategies for cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the effects of anti-TfR monoclonal antibody 7579 alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs (5-fluorouracil or doxorubicin) on non-hematopoietic tumor cells (HepG2 and MCF-7) in vitro. We found that 7579 mAb alone could dramatically down-regulate surface TfR expression on tumor cells. Consequently, marked S phase arrest and apoptosis were observed in 7579 mAb-treated tumor cells. In combination with 5-fluorouracil or doxorubicin, 7579 mAb enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on tumor cells. Results of 7AAD/Annexin V staining demonstrated that 7579 mAb enhanced the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on tumor cells by mainly promoting tumor cell necrosis. Using the median-effect/combination-index isobologram method, we further evaluated the nature of 7579 mAb/chemotherapeutic drug interactions. Synergistic interaction was observed for 7579 mAb combined with 5-fluorouracil whereas additive efficacy was observed for 7579 mAb plus doxorubicin. Our study provided the basis to further develop 7579 mAb-containing chemoimmunotherapy for non-hematopoietic malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Receptors, Transferrin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Transferrin / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • Doxorubicin
  • Fluorouracil