Effects of retinoic acid combined with irradiation on the expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules and adhesion/costimulation molecules ICAM-1 in human cervical cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Radiation treatment is one of the most standardized and effective modalities for contemporary cervical cancer therapy. In addition, the radiation-potentiating effects of retinoic acid have been recently described. In order to investigate whether enhanced immunogenicity might be responsible for such potentiation, we have evaluated the effects of retinoic acid combined with high doses of gamma-irradiation on the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I and II and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human cervical carcinoma cell lines.

Methods: The expression of surface antigens (MHC Class I and II and ICAM-1) was evaluated by FACS analysis in untreated control cells and in cells following their exposure to retinoic acid, high doses of gamma-irradiation (i.e., 5000 and 10,000 cGy), or the combination of the two procedures.

Results: HT-3 and SiHa cervical cancer cells expressed variable levels of MHC Class I and ICAM-1 antigens while Class II surface antigens were not detectable. Exposure to either 5000 or 10,000 cGy completely inhibited cell replication in both cell lines and significantly and consistently increased the expression of all surface antigens present on the cells prior to irradiation. Irradiation was unable to induce neoexpression of antigens previously not expressed by these cells (i.e., MHC Class II). In a similar fashion, retinoic acid was also able to significantly increase the expression of MHC Class I and ICAM-1 antigens when compared to untreated tumor cells but was not able to induce the expression of HLA Class II surface antigens. Exposure to the combination of radiation plus retinoic acid significantly upregulated HLA Class I and ICAM-1 molecules in an additive manner when compared to the levels obtainable with the exposure to radiation or retinoic acid alone.

Conclusions: These data indicate that the combination of these two treatments could induce an additive effect on the expression of immunologically important surface antigens in human cervical cancer cells. These findings, together with the powerful antiproliferative effect of retinoids and irradiation on tumor cells, suggest that the combined regimen may be a promising and more effective combination for the treatment of cervical cancer.