Tumour-infiltrating CD11b+ myelomonocytes and response to fractionated irradiation of human squamous cell carcinoma (hSCC) xenografts

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Purpose: Bone marrow derived CD11b+ myelomonocytes have been shown to be recruited by the tumour and to promote tumour regrowth after irradiation. Here we investigated in a panel of well characterised hSCC tumour models the number of tumour-infiltrating CD11b+ cells and the association with response to clinically relevant fractionated irradiation. Methods: Six hSCC tumour models (UT-SCC-5, -14, -15, XF354, FaDu, SAS) xenografted in nude mice were excised after injection of pimonidazole hypoxia marker before irradiation and after 5 and 10 fractions. In parallel, TCD50 (dose to cure 50% of the tumours) assays were performed to determine the response to 30 fractions within 6 weeks. The TCD50 values have been previously published [1]. Double staining of CD11b and pimonidazole was performed using immunofluorescence. CD11b+ cells were counted in viable pimonidazole-negative areas (non-hypoxic) and pimonidazole-positive areas (hypoxic) of whole tumour cross-sections. Results: The median number of tumour-infiltrating CD11b+ cells either decreased or remained unchanged after 5 and 10 fractions in most of the tumour models. The density of CD11b+ cells in hypoxic areas was similar or lower than in non-hypoxic regions independently on treatment in majority of the tumour models. After 10 fractions the median CD11b+ cell density was significantly associated with the TCD50 values after 30 fractions. Conclusion: The data from our exploratory study suggest that tumour-infiltrating CD11b+ cells may contribute to local tumour control after fractionated irradiation, which supports to further study their prognostic value and to evaluate specific myelomonocyte targeting strategies to overcome radiation resistance.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)80-85
Number of pages6
JournalRadiotherapy and oncology
Volume101
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2011
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • CD11b, Fractionated radiation, Human tumour xenograft, Hypoxia, Local tumour control, Myelomonocytes