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

Journal Article (Journal Article)

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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Sanchez-Perez, L; Choi, BD; Reap, EA; Sayour, EJ; Norberg, P; Schmittling, RJ; Archer, GE; Herndon, JE; Mitchell, DA; Heimberger, AB; Bigner, DD; Sampson, JH

Published Date

  • June 2013

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 62 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 983 - 987

PubMed ID

  • 23591978

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3665719

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1432-0851

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s00262-013-1405-y

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • Germany