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Imaging Immune Response In vivo: Cytolytic Action of Genetically Altered T Cells Directed to Glioblastoma Multiforme

Authors' Affiliations: ¹ Biological Imaging Center, Beckman Institute, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California and Division of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, Departments of ² Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and ³ Radioimmunotherapy, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California

Requests for reprints: Russell E. Jacobs, M/C 139-74 Caltech, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125-7400. Phone: 626-395-2849; Fax: 626-449-5163; E-mail: rjacobs{at}caltech.edu.

Purpose: Clinical trials have commenced to evaluate the feasibility of targeting malignant gliomas with genetically engineered CTLs delivered directly to the tumor bed in the central nervous system. The objective of this study is to determine a suite of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements using an orthotopic xenograft murine model that can noninvasively monitor immunologically mediated tumor regression and reactive changes in the surrounding brain parenchyma.

Experimental Design: Our preclinical therapeutic platform is based on CTL genetic modification to express a membrane tethered interleukin-13 (IL-13) cytokine chimeric T-cell antigen receptor. This enables selective binding and signal transduction on encountering the glioma-restricted IL-13 2 receptor (IL-13R2). We used MRI to visualize immune responses following adoptive transfer of IL-13R2-specific CD8⁺ CTL clones.

Results: Based on MRI measurements, several phases following IL-13R2-specific T-cell adoptive transfer could be distinguished, all of which correlated well with glioblastoma regression confirmed on histology. The first detectable changes, 24 hours post-treatment, were significantly increased T₂ relaxation times and strongly enhanced signal on T₁-weighted postcontrast images. In the next phase, the apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly increased at 2 and 3 days post-treatment. In the last phase, at day 3 after IL-13R2-specific T-cell injection, the volume of hyperintense signal on T₁-weighted postcontrast image was significantly decreased, whereas apparent diffusion coefficient remained elevated.

Conclusions: The present study indicates the feasibility of MRI to visualize different phases of immune response when IL-13R2-specific CTLs are administered directly to the glioma tumor bed. This will further the aim of better predicting clinical outcome following immunotherapy.