Abstract 12P
During cancer development, IL-18 plays both positive and negative roles. IL-18 can promote tumor progression or metastasis, mainly through its effect on VCAM-1 and VEGF production. In contrast, IL-18 has been proven to enhance immunity against several kinds of tumors including melanoma and liver cancer. Due to its impact on IFN-γ production, IL-18 enhances anti-tumor activity by NK and Th1. We have previously shown that pulse stimulation with zoledronate and IL-2 or IL-15 greatly enhance the expansion, and anti-tumor activity of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. Given the importance of IL-18 on the expansion, differentiation, and function of NK and Th1 cells, we hypothesized that expansion, memory and anti-immunity function of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells can be further optimized by using IL-18 in combination with IL-2 or IL-15 cytokines in prostate cancer settings.