Journal Article

Efficient killing of radioresistant breast cancer cells by cytokine-induced killer cells

Zhu, Danni, Gao, Daiqing, Guo, Qingming, Li, Changyou, Wei, Xiaoqiang, Bu, Xiaocui, Zhao, Peng, Wei, Xiaofang, Ma, Xuezhen

2017

Overview

Recurrence of breast cancer after radiotherapy may be partly explained by the presence of radioresistant cells. Thus, it would be desirable to develop an effective therapy against radioresistant cells. In this study, we demonstrated the intense antitumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells against MCF-7 and radioresistant MCF-7 cells, as revealed by cytokine-induced killer–mediated cytotoxicity, tumor cell proliferation, and tumor invasion. Radioresistant MCF-7 cells were more susceptible to cytokine-induced killer cell killing. The stronger cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer cells against radioresistant MCF-7 cells was dependent on the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide–related sequence A/B on radioresistant MCF-7 cells after exposure of cytokine-induced killer cells to sensitized targets. In addition, we demonstrated that cytokine-induced killer cell treatment sensitized breast cancer cells to chemotherapy via the downregulation of TK1, TYMS, and MDR1. These results indicate that cytokine-induced killer cell treatment in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may induce synergistic antitumor activities and represent a novel strategy for breast cancer.

• Publisher: SAGE Publications,Sage Publications Ltd,SAGE Publishing
• Subject: Antitumor activity / ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B - biosynthesis / Blood & organ donations / Breast cancer / Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy / Breast Neoplasms - immunology / Breast Neoplasms - pathology / Breast Neoplasms - radiotherapy / Cancer therapies / Cell culture / Cell growth / Cell proliferation / Cell Proliferation - drug effects / Cell Proliferation - radiation effects / Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Chemotherapy / Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells - immunology / Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells - metabolism / Cytokines / Cytotoxicity / Cytotoxicity, Immunologic - drug effects / Cytotoxicity, Immunologic - radiation effects / Female / Flow cytometry / Humans / Immunotherapy / Killer cells / Lymphocytes B / Major histocompatibility complex / MCF-7 Cells / MDR1 protein / Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - immunology / Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - pathology / Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - radiotherapy / Proteins / Radiation therapy / Radiation Tolerance / Thymidine Kinase - biosynthesis / Thymidylate Synthase - biosynthesis / Tumors