Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against autologous lung cancer cells resistant to apoptosis

Backgound: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is resistant to conventional treatment; so the development of a new therapy is urgent. Materials and Methods: 50 patients with NSCLC and malignant effusion were enrolled in this study. Seventeen autologous lung cancer cell lines were established. Peripheral lymphocytes and irradiated autologous tumor cell lines were co-cultured to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Expression of apoptosis-related molecules were analysed by RT-PCR or FACS. Results: CTL lines were established in 2 patients. Both CTL lines were CD3⁺, CD8⁺ and MHC class I-restricted T cells and showed cytotoxic activities not only against autologous tumor cell lines but against allogenic cancer cell lines. Two lung cancer cell lines were established from one patient before and after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The tumor cell line established after chemotherapy was apoptosis-resistant, but was sensitive to cytotoxicity of CTL. Conclusion: CTL-based immunotherapy may be one of the candidates for future therapies against NSCLC.