Dendritic cells combined with anti-GITR antibody produce antitumor effects in osteosarcoma

We attempted to enhance the antitumor effects of tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells by eliminating regulatory T cells. The combinatorial effects of dendritic cells and agonist anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (anti-GITR) antibodies were investigated with respect to enhancement of the systemic immune response, elimination of regulatory T cells, and inhibition of tumor growth. To determine whether the combination of dendritic cells and anti-GITR antibodies could enhance systemic immune responses and inhibit primary tumor growth in a murine osteosarcoma (LM8) model. We established the following 4 groups of C3H mice (20 mice in total): i), control IgG-treated mice; ii), tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell-treated mice; iii), agonist anti-GITR antibody-treated mice; and iv), agonist anti-GITR antibody- and tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell-treated mice. The mice that received the agonist anti-GITR antibodies and tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells displayed inhibited primary growth, prolonged life time, reduced numbers of regulatory T lymphocytes in the spleen, elevated serum interferon-gamma levels, increased number of CD8(+) T lymphocytes. The mice that received combined therapy had reduced level of immunosuppressive cytokines in tumor tissue and serum. Combining agonist anti-GITR antibodies with tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells enhanced the systemic immune response. These findings provide further support for the continued development of agonist anti-GITR antibodies as an immunotherapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma. We suggest that our proposed immunotherapy could be developed further to improve osteosarcoma treatment.