Translational Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Pre-Treatment Status and Changes in Autoantibodies, Lymphocytic Populations, Cytokines and VEGF during Sunitinib Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC)

Alexandra Karadimou, Nikos Gavalas, Marinos Tsiatas, Eleni Sereti, Paraskevi-Sofia Trachana, Maria Spyropoulou-Vlachou, Eleni Karga, Evangelos Terpos, Ourania Tsitsilonis, Meletios A. Dimopoulos and Aristotelis Bamias

Aims

Immunotherapy has been effective in mRCC. Given the improved efficacy of anti-VEGF therapies in mRCC, their effect on the immune system emerges as a reasonable question.

Methods

Serum autoantibodies (aAbs), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukins (ILs), VEGF and blood lymphocytic populations were determined in 43 previously untreated mRCC patients, before and during sunitinib therapy.

Results

81% of patients had at least 1 baseline aAb. During treatment 83% of patients without baseline aAbs developed aAbs, while C3 and IL-6 levels were increased. All changes were observed the first 9 months of treatment but had no prognostic significance. Baseline low VEGF and IL-6 levels were associated with improved Progression-Free (PFS) and Cancer-Specific (CSS) Survival.

Conclusions

Sunitinib treatment can result in aAbs development but this does not improve prognosis. Baseline VEGF and IL-6 were correlated with outcome.