The administration of IL-12/GM-CSF and Ig-4-1BB ligand markedly decreases murine floor of mouth squamous cell cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess immune-based gene therapy in a murine floor of mouth (FOM) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) model. STUDY DESIGN In vitro and in vivo testing of immune therapy for SCC. METHODS Multiple SCC lines were infected by using advRSV-interleukin-12 (IL-12) and advCMV-interleukin-12/granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (IL-12/GM-CSF) and monitored for production of IL-12 and GM-CSF. Intratumoral injections of viral vectors were administered with systemic Ig-4-1BB ligand in an orthotopic murine FOM SCC model and followed for tumor size and survival. RESULTS In vitro, all cell lines produced substantial levels of IL-12 and GM-CSF. In vivo, tumors treated with advCMV-IL-12/GM-CSF and Ig-4-1BBL showed a striking reduction in tumor volume (vs control P<0.0001) and improved median survival (38 days vs 19 days for control, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION Combination immune-based therapies effectively improve survival in mice bearing FOM SCC over single-modality therapy.