Biomolecular aspects of adult T-cell leukemia
Takatsuki, K.; Hattori, T.; Yamaguchi, K.; Matsuzaki, H.; Asou, N.; Kiyokawa, T.; Maeda, Y.; Suzushima, H.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer and ChemoTherapy 18(7): 1112-1117
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0385-0684 PMID: 2053770 Document Number: 382418
ATL (adult T-cell leukemia) is the first human cancer known to be caused by a retrovirus. ATL cells show usually positive for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD25 and HLA-DR, but negative for CD8. They produce a variety of cytokines, including IL-1, IL-2, TNF, ADF and PTHrP. PTHrP is considered to be responsible for hypercalcemia which is frequently observed in ATL. Recently, we reported two unusual cases of HTLV-I associated malignancy; 1) a case of CD4 and 8 double negative tumor affecting mainly gastrointestinal tract and 2) a case mimicking small cell lung cancer. IL-2-toxin, a conjugate of IL-2 and diphtheria toxin, has been prepared as a recombinant product and evaluated for the suppressive effect to ATL cells. Clinical trail of IL-2-toxin is now anticipated.