BLyS levels correlate with vaccine-induced antibody titers in patients with glioblastoma lymphodepleted by therapeutic temozolomide

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2013 Jun;62(6):983-7. doi: 10.1007/s00262-013-1405-y. Epub 2013 Apr 17.

Abstract

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a cytokine involved in differentiation and survival of follicular B cells along with humoral response potentiation. Lymphopenia is known to precipitate dramatic elevation in serum BLyS; however, the use of this effect to enhance humoral responses following vaccination has not been evaluated. We evaluated BLyS serum levels and antigen-specific antibody titers in 8 patients undergoing therapeutic temozolomide (TMZ)-induced lymphopenia, with concomitant vaccine against a tumor-specific mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII). Our studies demonstrate that TMZ-induced lymphopenia corresponded with spikes in serum BLyS that directly preceded the induction of anti-EGFRvIII antigen-specific antibody titers, in some cases as high as 1:2,000,000. Our data are the first clinical observation of BLyS serum elevation and greatly enhanced humoral immune responses as a consequence of chemotherapy-induced lymphopenia. These observations should be considered for the development of future vaccination strategies in the setting of malignancy.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibody Specificity / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use*
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / blood*
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Dacarbazine / adverse effects
  • Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
  • Glioblastoma / immunology*
  • Glioblastoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Depletion*
  • Lymphopenia / blood
  • Lymphopenia / chemically induced
  • Temozolomide

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Dacarbazine
  • Temozolomide