Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Therapy Enhances Cytotoxicity of CD56bright NK Cells in Patients with Chronic Gvhd

Conclusion: Single cell mass cytometry revealed that daily low dose IL-2 therapy induces selective expansion, activation and increased expression of activating NK receptors in CD56bright NK cells. CD56dim NK cells were not affected by IL-2 therapy. In vitro assays revealed that cytolytic activity of CD56bright NK cells increased during IL-2 treatment and exceeded the cytotoxicity of CD56dim NK cells. CD56bright NK cells, traditionally considered to be minimally tumor-responsive, are effectively stimulated by daily low dose IL-2 exposure to enable potent cytotoxicity in response to tumor targets. In patients receiving low-dose IL-2 after allogeneic HSCT, expanded CD56bright NK cells may contribute to graft versus leukemia (GVL) and help prevent relapse after transplant.DisclosuresNikiforow: Kite Pharma: Consultancy. Ho: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Antin: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Soiffer: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Source: Blood - November 21, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Kubo, T., Romee, R., Koreth, J., Belizaire, R., Kamihara, Y., Liu, H., Asano, T., Whangbo, J., Hirakawa, M., Nikiforow, S., Gooptu, M., Ho, V. T., Cutler, C. S., Alyea, E. P., Antin, J. H., Soiffer, R. J., Ritz, J. Tags: 722. Clinical Allogeneic Transplantation: Acute and Chronic GVHD, Immune Reconstitution: GVHD Treatment and Prevention Strategies Source Type: research