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Uveal melanomas contain antigenically specific and non-specific infiltrating lymphocytes
B R Ksander1, D C Geer, P W Chen
1Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114. ksander@vision.eri.harvard.edu
Current Eye Research
|April 2, 1998
Summary
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from ocular melanomas show cytotoxic potential. Activating these lymphocytes may offer a way to eliminate tumor cells within growing eye cancers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
Background:
- Ocular melanomas accumulate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL).
- The cytotoxic potential of these TILs is not fully understood.
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is known to activate lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if TILs recovered from human choroidal melanomas possess cytotoxic activity.
- To determine if these TILs can be activated in vitro using IL-2.
Main Methods:
- TILs were isolated from six ocular melanoma patients and cultured with IL-2.
- Cytotoxic activity was assessed using a chromium-51 release assay.
- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing and expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- TILs from four patients demonstrated lysis of autologous ocular melanoma cells.
- Specific cytotoxic activity was observed in two patients' TILs.
- Non-specific cytotoxic activity against other patients' tumor cells was noted in TILs from two other patients.
Conclusions:
- Ocular melanomas harbor lymphocytes with tumor-killing capabilities.
- In vitro activation of these endogenous cytotoxic cells presents a potential strategy for eliminating ocular tumor cells.