CCR1 and, to a lesser extent, CCR5, the receptors for CCL3 and CCL4, were found in CLL-derived monocyte-macrophages. Consistently, CCL3 increased monocyte migration, and CD68 + macrophage infiltration was particularly high in BMB from CD38 + CD49d + CLL. Conditioned media from CCL3-stimulated macrophages induced endothelial cells to express vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the CD49d ligand, likely through tumor necrosis factor A overproduction. These effects were apparent in BMB from CD38 + CD49d + CLL, where lymphoid infiltrates were characterized by a prominent meshwork of VCAM-1 + stromal/endothelial cells. Lastly, CD49d engagement by VCAM-1 transfectants increased viability of CD38 + CD49d + CLL cells. Altogether, CD38 and CD49d can be thought of as parts of a consecutive chain of events ultimately leading to improved survival of CLL cells. [Cancer Res 2009;69(9):4001-9]

The expression of CCL5/Rantes by Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells has been recently documented. In the present study we demonstrated that the CCL5 receptor (CCR5) is constitutively expressed by Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)-derived cell lines (i.e. L-428, KM-H2, L-1236 and L-540) as shown by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and western blotting and also detected by immunohistochemistry on primary H-RS cells from lymph node tissues. sCD40L never significantly affected CCR5 expression, whereas a short exposure to doxorubicin down regulated its expression. CCR5 receptors on HL cell lines were functionally active, since neutralizing anti-CCL5 monoclonal antibodies inhib-

This work reports on the synthesis, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxic activity of some new platinum(II), palladium(II), and gold(III) derivatives of methylsarcosinedithiocarbamate and its S-methyl ester, to study their behavior as potential antitumor agents. The biological activity of these compounds, as determined by growth inhibition and apoptosis induction, has been investigated in both human leukemic promyelocites HL60 and human squamous cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cell lines, and their activity has been compared to the well-known platinum-based anticancer agent cisplatin. On the basis of these experimental results, [Pd(MSDT)X]n (MSDT = methylsarcosinedithiocarbamate; X = Cl, Br) complexes show a strong dose-dependent growth inhibition of both HL60 and HeLa cells, with IC(50) values slightly higher than those recorded for cisplatin; moreover, [Au(MSDT)X(2)] activity appears significantly higher or, at least, comparable to that of the reference drug. Exposure of both cell lines to [Pd(MSDT)X]n and [Au(MSDT)X(2)] complexes induces apoptosis, as determined by an Apo2.7 assay.

The clinical and pathological features of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) mirror an abnormal tissue and systemic immune response due to the production of a variety of cytokines and chemokines by the malignant Hodgkin‐Reed‐Sternberg (H‐RS) cells and/or surrounding reactive cells. Here, we demonstrate that HL‐derived cell lines (L‐428, KM‐H2, HDLM‐2, L‐1236 and L‐540) and primary H‐RS cells from lymph node tissues of HL patients express the IL‐7(R) receptor. IL‐7 appears to be involved in autocrine circuitries of HL because L‐1236, HDLM‐2 and KM‐H2 cells display the constitutive production of IL‐7 and neutralizing anti‐IL‐7 antibodies induces a statistically significant inhibition of their basal proliferation. In addition, IL‐7, either exogenous or fibroblasts‐derived, promotes the clonogenic growth and reduces apoptosis of cultured H‐RS cells, being also able to partially protect these cells from the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin. We also provide evidence that IL‐7 stimulates IL‐6 secretion from IL‐7R‐expressing fibroblasts from HL‐involved lymph nodes (HLFs), and that a striking increase in IL‐6 secretion can be observed in cocultures of HLFs with L1236 cells. Finally, we show that L‐1236 cells‐derived IL‐7 represents a costimulator for proliferation of purified CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− regulatory T cells (Tregs). Taken together, our data indicates that the IL‐7/IL‐7R axis constitutes an additional signaling pathway between H‐RS cells and their reactive cellular background, thereby affecting proliferation and survival of tumor cells, acting as a cofactor for Tregs expansion and enhancing the microenviromental production of IL‐6, a cytokine associated with the presence of “B” symptoms and a poor outcome in HL patients. © 2009 UICC