Physician finds volunteer work rewarding

Abstract

Receptor‐targeted therapies have become standard in the treatment of various lymphomas. In view of its unparalleled specificity for the malignant B‐cell clone, the B‐cell receptor (BCR) on B cell lymphoma cells is a potential therapeutic target. We have used two BCR epitope mimicking peptides binding to the Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines CA46 and SUP‐B8. We proved their functionality by demonstrating calcium flux and BCR‐mediated endocytosis upon peptide receptor binding. Toxicity experiments in vitro via cross‐linking of the BCR with tetramerized epitope mimics lead to apoptosis in both cell lines but was far more effective in SUP‐B8 cells. We established a SUP‐B8‐based disseminated Burkitt's lymphoma model in NOD/SCID mice. Treatment of tumor‐bearing mice with tetramerized epitope mimics had significant anti‐tumor effects in vivo. We conclude that peptide‐mediated, BCR‐targeted therapy is a promising approach which may be explored and further developed for application in highly aggressive lymphoma.