Table 2.
Preclinical and clinical studies involving activated B cells
| Species | Tumor entity | Therapy | Outcome | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C57BL/6 mice | LL-LCMV s.c. tumors | Vaccination with LCMV antigen-pulsed CD40B cells or LPS-activated B cells | Delay in tumor growth by CD40B cells but not LPS-activated B cells | 70 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | B16.F10 melanomas | Therapeutic application of RNA-transfected (of antigen and costimulatory molecules) CD40B cells | No delay of tumor growth | 71 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | E.G7 lymphoma | Therapeutic application of OVA antigen-pulsed CD40B cells | No delay of tumor growth | 72 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | E.G7 lymphoma | Therapeutic application of OVA antigen-transfected CD40B cells | Protection against tumor growth | 72 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | MCA205 pulmonary metastases; MCA205 or D5G6 s.c. tumors | Adoptive transfer of B and T cells from TDLN after CD40-activation; B cells in combination with TBI or chemotherapy | Combination of B and T cells led to regression of metastases; B cells alone in combination with TBI or chemotherapy inhibited s.c. tumors | 73 |
| Balb/C mice | 4T1 mammary carcinoma | Adoptive transfer of B cells from TDLN; CD40 activation | Reduction of spontaneous metastases | 74 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | Pulmonary metastases after i.v. injection of HEL-expressing B16 melanoma | Therapeutic application of HEL-specific B cells, in vitro stimulation with IL-4, IL-21, CD40L, and BAFF-expressing feeder cells | Regression of metastases | 75 |
| C57BL/6 mice | E.G7 lymphomas | Vaccination with OVA antigen-pulsed CD40B cells | Significant delay of tumor growth | 68 |
| C57BL/6 mice | B16.F10 melanomas | Vaccination with TRP2 antigen-pulsed CD40B cells | Significant delay of tumor growth | 68 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | EG.7 lymphoma | Therapeutic application of tumor antigen-specific CD40B cells + plasma cells | Significant delay of tumor growth and increased survival | 76 |
| C57BL7/6 mice | Panc02-OVA | Therapeutic application of tumor antigen-specific CD40B cells + plasma cells | Significant delay of tumor growth and increased survival | 76 |
| Dogs | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Tumor RNA-loaded CD40B cells | Induction of specific immune response; improvement in survival | 69 |
| Humans | CLL | CD40L-transduced CLL cells + IL-2-transduced CLL cells | Reduction in lymph node size in 3 of 9 patients | 19 |
| Humans | Renal cell carcinoma | Allogeneic B cells from healthy donors fused with autologous tumor cells | Two complete and 2 partial remissions out of 11 patients | 78 |
| Humans | Metastatic melanoma | Allogeneic B cells from healthy donors fused with autologous tumor cells | One complete and 1 partial remission; 5 stable disease out of 16 patients | 79 |
| Humans | Patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation | Adoptive transfer of CD19+-selected B cells | No acute adverse reactions or chronic GvHD; mobilization of plasma blasts after revaccination | 81 |
IL, interleukin; CD40B cells, CD40-ativated B cells; TDLN, tumor-draining lymph node; CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia; s.c., subcutaneous; i.v., intravenous; TBI, total body irradiation.