Squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (SCCO) are often infected with oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV) subtype 16. To determine the frequency of T cells specific for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2.1 restricted HPV16 E7 protein-derived epitopes, tetramer analysis was performed using peripheral blood lymphocytes of 20 HLA-A2.1 1 patients and 20 HLA-A2.1 1 healthy individuals. Tetramers specific for 3 HPV16 peptides (E7 11-20 , E7 82-90 and E7 86-93) , an influenza matrix peptide (a model recall antigen) or an HIV reverse transcriptase peptide (a model novel antigen) were used in multicolor flow analysis. The HPV-specific T-cell frequencies were correlated with the HPV16 E7 and p16 status in tumor sections. In vitro stimulation (IVS) with autologous dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with HPV16 E7 epitopes was performed to demonstrate proliferation and antitumor activity of the HPV-responsive T cells. Frequencies of CD8 1 T cells specific for HPV16 E7 peptides were not significantly different in patients with SCCO relative to normal donors. However, patients with tumors expressing HPV16 E7 (60%) and p16 (50%) had an increased frequency (p < 0.05) of T cells specific for the E7 11-20 epitope compared to those with tumors negative for both markers. HPV16 E7 11-20 and HPV16 E7 86-93 specific T cells were expandable upon IVS with cognate peptide-pulsed DC and were reactive against peptide-pulsed targets or, in case of the E7 11-20 epitopespecific T cells, against HPV16 E7 expressing CaSki cell line. Thus, in patients with HPV16 1 SCCO, precursor T cells specific for E7 [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] epitope are present (1/3,947) in the circulation, are responsive to stimulation with the cognate viral peptide and recognize in vitro HPV16 E7 1 tumor cells. Further studies have to elucidate why those T cells are unable to eliminate the tumor in vivo and this might also allow for finding potential strategies that will increase the chances of developing a future HPV-based vaccine in patients with SCCO. ' 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: HPV; specific T cells; head and neck cancer; tetramer Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) represent the most common type of head and neck cancer, accounting for 6% of all new cancer cases. 1 Typical risk factors include alcohol and nicotine consumption. However, a significant proportion of the patients do not have these risk factors, and recent studies have suggested an association of SCC to viral pathogens such as high risk (oncogenic) human papilloma virus (HPV) types, particularly HPV16 or 18. These viruses are frequently found in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. 2-11 HPV16 infections have been observed in approximately one half of squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (SCCO). 7,[10][11][12] The HPV16 1 SCCO have a good prognosis and are not associated with conventional risk factors, suggesting they may represent a separate tumor entity. 3,7,10,11 The HPV-derived oncoproteins E6 and E7 are mainly responsible for both the onset and maintenance of malignant transforma...

IL-6 up-regulates uterine OTR mRNA expression and binding capacity in cultured human myocytes most likely through tyrosine and serine phosphorylation pathways involving the nuclear factor STAT-3.

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Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a hallmark of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against EGFR are currently used for therapy of recurrent or metastatic disease; however, their mode of action is not completely understood. To investigate the immunological effects of anti-EGFR mAb, we generated a three-dimensional spheroid model of EGFR-expressing SCCHN and used this model to study the effect of anti-EGFR mAb on leukocyte migration toward tumors. Pretreatment with the blocking anti-EGFR mAb EMD 72000, its F(ab 0 )2 fragments or an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor led to substantially increased leukocyte infiltration into EGFR overexpressing tumor spheroids, but not into those with low EGFR expression. Nonblocking anti-EGFR mAb or fibroblast-specific mAb did not affect leukocyte infiltration, suggesting that the observed increase in leukocyte infiltration depends on interference with EGFR activation. Using a human cytokine macroarray, we demonstrated that the blockade of EGFR by anti-EGFR mAb in EGFR-overexpressing SCCHN cells leads to differential expression of several cytokines and chemokines, including the chemokine MCP-1/CCL-2. The significant upregulation of MCP-1/CCL2 on exposure to anti-EGFR mAb was confirmed by quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunospot analyses. Moreover, blocking anti-MCP-1 antibody inhibited leukocyte migration toward tumor cells induced by anti-EGFR mAb, pointing to an important role of MCP-1/CCL2 in anti-EGFR mAb-induced leukocyte migration. Our findings demonstrate that anti-EGFR mAb induces leukocyte infiltration to tumor spheroids by upregulating chemokine expression. This novel mechanism for anti-EGFR mAb action may contribute to the antitumor effects of anti-EGFR mAb in vivo.