High density of IL-17-producing cells is associated with improved prognosis for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Interleukin (IL)-17 is the signature cytokine of T helper 17 cells. The role of IL-17 in the tumor microenvironment is still controversial. Few studies describing IL-17 expression in ovarian cancer have been reported. We have therefore analyzed the in situ tumor expression of IL-17 in advanced ovarian cancer and the possible correlation of IL-17 expression with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and with survival in advanced ovarian cancer. Clinical data of 104 patients with stage III–IV epithelial ovarian cancer at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2000 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining of IL-17 and CD163 (marker for TAMs) was performed. Our data showed that levels of IL-17 were significantly increased in ovarian cancer compared with normal ovarian tissues (P<0.001). The high IL-17 expression group included more patients with grade 1 tumors than the low IL-17 expression group (P=0.042). High IL-17 expression correlated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced ovarian cancer (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in overall survival between the high and low IL-17 expression groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the density of IL-17-producing cells was a positive prognostic factor for PFS (P=0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation between the density of IL-17-producing cells and TAMs was identified (r=0.354, P<0.001). Our results indicate that the infiltration of IL-17-producing cells might contribute to improved PFS in advanced ovarian cancer. Our findings provide a new insight into the complex role of IL-17 in the tumor microenvironment of ovarian cancer.     

前列腺癌nm23H1mRNA、TGF-β1mRNA表达及其与肿瘤转移、生存率的相关性研究

应用原位杂交法检测42例前列腺癌组织nm23H1mRNA、TGF-β1mRNA表达,并以CD31抗体为标记,经EnVision~(TM)免疫组织化学及Leica-Qwin计算机图像分析,用Weidner最高血管密度计数法,计数阳性MVD,研究前列腺癌组织nm23H1mRNA、TGF-β1mRNA和CD31的表达与前列腺癌中的新生血管的生成、肿瘤血道转移和调查患者术后的生存率关系。前列腺癌nm23H1mRNA阳性表达66．67%(28例),nm23H1mRNA阳性表达与前列腺癌骨转移、TNM分期、MVD呈负相关(P＜0．05)：TGF-β1mRNA阳性表达78．75%(33例),其与前列腺癌骨转移、TNM分期、MVD呈正相关(P＜0．05),与癌周组织的nm23H1mRNA和TGF-β1mRNA阳性表达比较,具有显著性差异(P＜0．01或P＜0．05)。前列腺癌组织的MVD(78．51±10．29/mm~2)显著高于癌周组织(34．19±9．27/mm~2),两者比较具有显著性差异(P＜0．05)。在根治术后5年内死亡的42．86%(18例)患者中MVD(92．41±15．42/ mm~2),高于5年内生存的患者(62．79±13．58/mm~2),两组间有显著性差异(P＜0．05);在不同的肿瘤病理学分级中,nm23H1mRNA在前列腺癌未、低分化型中阳性表达率高,高、中分化型中阳性表达率低,两组间有显著性差异(P＜0．05)。当nm23H1mRNA阳性表达率高时,肿瘤骨转移率低,生存率高,故认为nm23H1基因具有抑制前列腺癌发生和转移作用。当TGF-β1mRNA阳性表达率高时,肿瘤骨转移率高,生存率低。故认为TGF-β1基因具有促进前列腺癌发生和转移作用。前列腺癌组织中的MVD与肿瘤骨转移密切相关,前列腺癌组织MVD的显著增高,提示肿瘤组织有新血管的生成。TGF-β1促进了肿瘤诱导的血管新生,在前列腺癌的骨转移中起重要作用。     

胃癌nm23H1 mRNA、VEGF-C mRNA表达及其与淋巴转移、生存率的相关性研究

研究胃癌组织nm23H1 mRNA、VEGF-C mRNA和VEGFR-3的表达与胃癌中的新生淋巴管的生成、肿瘤淋巴道转移和生存率关系,为临床治疗及预后提供实验依据。用胃癌与癌周组织作对照,应用原位杂交法检测78例胃癌组织nm23H1 mRNA、VEGF-C mRNA表达,并以VEGFR-3抗体为标记,经EnVisionTM免疫组织化学及Leica-Qwin计算机图像分析,用Weidner最高血管密度计数法,计数阳性淋巴管数(MLC),以及调查患者术后的生存率。胃癌nm23H1 mRNA阳性表达 69．23％(54例)、nm23H1 mRNA阳性表达与胃癌淋巴结转移、TNM分期、MLC呈负相关(P<0．01), VEGF-C mRNA阳性表达46．15％(36例),其与胃癌淋巴结转移、TNM分期、MLC呈正相关(P<0．01 或P<0．05)．与癌周组织的nm23H1 mRNA和VEGF-C mRNA表达比较,具有显著性差异(P<0．01 或P<0．05)。nm23H1 mRNA在Ⅰ、Ⅱ期胃癌中呈高表达,在Ⅲ、Ⅳ期患者中呈低或无表达。胃癌组织的MLC(8．37±2．29/mm2)显著高于癌周组织(4．51±2．64/mm2),两者比较具有显著性差异(P<0．05)。 nm23H1 mRNA与VEGFR-3表达之间存在负相关(P<0．05,r=0．8479);VEGF-C mRNA与VEG- FR-3表达之间存在正相关(P<0．05,r=0．8362)。在根治术5年内死亡的61．54％(48例)患者中 MLC(10.82±2．51/mm2)高于5年内生存的患者(6．53±2．09/mm2),两组间有显著性差异(P<0．05);在不同的肿瘤病理学分级中,胃癌未、低分化型与高、中分化型的nm23H1 mRNA阳性表达,有显著性差异(P<0．05),当nm23H1 mRNA高表达时,肿瘤淋巴转移率低,生存率高,故认为nm23H1基因具有抑制胃癌发生和淋巴道转移作用;当VEGF-C mRNA高表达时,肿瘤淋巴转移率高,生存率低。胃癌组织中的VEGFR-3表达水平与肿瘤的淋巴转移密切相关,胃癌组织MLC的显著增高,提示肿瘤组织有新淋巴管的生成。VEGF-C促进了肿瘤诱导的淋巴管新生,在胃癌的淋巴道转移中起重要作用。     

Virulizin® induces production of IL-17E to enhance antitumor activity by recruitment of eosinophils into tumors

Virulizin has demonstrated strong antitumor efficacy in a variety of human tumor xenograft models including melanoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. Our previous studies have demonstrated that macrophages, NK cells, and cytokines are important in the antitumor mechanism of Virulizin. Virulizin treatment of tumor bearing mice results in the expansion as well as increased activity of monocytes/macrophages and production of cytokines IL-12 and TNFalpha and activation of NK cells. In this study we show that the inflammatory cytokine IL-17E (IL-25) is induced by Virulizin treatment and is part of its antitumor mechanism. IL-17E is a proinflammatory cytokine, which induces a T(H)2 type immune response, associated with eosinophil expansion and infiltration into mucosal tissues. IL-17E was increased in sera of Virulizin-treated mice bearing human melanoma xenografts, compared to saline-treated controls, as shown by 2D gel electrophoresis and ELISA. Treatment of splenocytes in vitro with Virulizin resulted in increased IL-17E mRNA expression, which peaked between 24 and 32 h post-stimulation. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that B cells produced IL-17E in response to Virulizin treatment. Furthermore, Virulizin treatment in vivo resulted in increased blood eosinophilia and eosinophil infiltration into tumors. Finally, injection of recombinant IL-17E showed antitumor activity towards xenografted tumors, which correlated with increased eosinophilia in blood and tumors. Taken together, these results support another antitumor mechanism mediated by Virulizin, through induction of IL-17E by B cells, leading to recruitment of eosinophils into tumors, which may function in parallel with macrophages and NK cells in mediating tumor destruction.     

中国人前列腺癌VEGF—C mRNA、VEGFR-3和CD31表达与肿瘤转移的关系

The expressions of VEGF-C mRNA, VEGFR-3 and CD31 were studied in order to investigate the correlation between them and neoangiogenesis, hyperplasia of micro-lymphatics and tumor metastases. 34 cases of prostate cancer tissue and 12 cases of adjacent nontumorous tissue specimens were tested. They were marked by VEGFR-3 and CD31 with immunohistochemistic staining and analyzed with image, the micro-lymphatics count (MLC) and microvessel density (MVD) were counted using Weidner's highest vessel density count method; the expression of VEGF-C mRNA was inspected in situ hybridization. The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was 44.12% positive in 34 cases of prostate cancer, the MLC (8.26 +/- 2.73)mm2 and MVD (74.82 +/- 11.76)mm2 in prostate cancer were significantly higher than those in adjacent nontumorous tissue (MLC, 4.82 +/- 3.48/mm2; MVD, 32.86 +/- 5.41/mm2). In addition, there was a correlation between the expression of VEGF-C mRNA and micro-lymphatics metastases and there was a positive correlation between the expression of VEGFR-3 and CD31. The expressions of VEGF-C mRNA , MLC, MVD in stage III and IV and those who have lymph metastasis were higher than those in stage I and II and those who have no lymph metastasis; the expressions of VEGFR-3 and CD31 in VEGF-C mRNA positive groups were significantly higher than those in negative groups. The difference of histopathologic grading in prostate cancer had no statistical significance. VEGF-C could accelerate the hyperplasia of micro-lymphatics and neoangiogenesis induced by tumor and play an important role in tumor lymph metastases. There was a close correlation between the expressions of VEGFR-3, CD31 and tumor metastases. The increase of MLC and MVD on prostate cancer indicated the hyperplasia of new micro-lymphatics and neoangiogenesis in the tumor tissue, which could also be a signal to determine the tumor metastases in clinic.     

卵巢癌患者血清HE4、CA125、CA72-4及炎性因子水平检测的临床价值评估

目的:探讨血清人附睾蛋白4(HE4)、糖类抗原125(CA125)、糖类抗原72-4(CA72-4)及炎性因子IL-6、IL-8、IL-17水平检测对卵巢癌患者的临床价值。方法:选取2015年2月至2017年2月我院收治的卵巢肿瘤患者81例,包括卵巢恶性肿瘤组39例及卵巢良性肿瘤组42例,另选42例健康人作正常对照组,比较各组及临床不同分期卵巢癌患者血清HE4、CA125、CA72-4、IL-6、IL-8、IL-17水平的差异。结果:卵巢恶性肿瘤组血清HE4、CA125、CA72-4、IL-6、IL-8及IL-17水平均显著高于对照组(P0.05),而卵巢良性肿瘤组与对照组以上指标比较差异并无统计学意义(P0.05);随卵巢癌分期增加,患者血清HE4、CA125、CA72-4、IL-6、IL-8及IL-17水平呈上升趋势,以血清HE4、CA125及IL-17增加较为显著(P0.05),而Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期及Ⅲ期卵巢癌患者血清CA72-4、IL-6及IL-8在增加并不明显(P0.05)。结论:卵巢癌患者血清HE4、CA125、CA72-4、IL-6、IL-8及IL-17水平较高,且随临床分期增加呈上升趋势,以上指标可能有助于卵巢癌的诊断、治疗及病情评估。     

A protective role by interleukin-17F in colon tumorigenesis

Interleukin-17F (IL-17F), produced by Th17 cells and other immune cells, is a member of IL-17 cytokine family with highest homology to IL-17A. IL-17F has been shown to have multiple functions in inflammatory responses. While IL-17A plays important roles in cancer development, the function of IL-17F in tumorigenesis has not yet been elucidated. In the current study, we found that IL-17F is expressed in normal human colonic epithelial cells, but this expression is greatly decreased in colon cancer tissues. To examine the roles of IL-17F in colon cancer, we have used IL-17F over-expressing colon cancer cell lines and IL-17F-deficient mice. Our data showed decreased tumor growth of IL-17F-transfected HCT116 cells comparing to mock transfectants when transplanted in nude mice. Conversely, there were increased colonic tumor numbers and tumor areas in Il-17f(-/-) mice than those from wild-type controls after colon cancer induction. These results indicate that IL-17F plays an inhibitory role in colon tumorigenesis in vivo. In IL-17F over-expressing tumors, there was no significant change in leukocyte infiltration; instead, we found decreased VEGF levels and CD31(+) cells. While the VEGF levels were increased in the colon tissues of Il-17f(-/-) mice with colon cancer. Together, our findings demonstrate a protective role for IL-17F in colon cancer development, possibly via inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.     

Stress hormones regulate interleukin-6 expression by human ovarian carcinoma cells through a Src-dependent mechanism

Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic stress promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In ovarian cancer, levels of the pro-angiogenic cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), are known to be elevated in individuals experiencing chronic stress, but the mechanism(s) by which this cytokine is regulated and its role in tumor growth remain under investigation. Here we show that stress hormones such as norepinephrine lead to increased expression of IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in ovarian carcinoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that norepinephrine stimulation activates Src tyrosine kinase and this activation is required for increased IL-6 expression. These results demonstrate that stress hormones activate signaling pathways known to be critical in ovarian tumor progression.     

Nanog 基因在卵巢癌和卵巢肿瘤干细胞中的表达及意义

目的:探讨胚胎干细胞关键因子Nanog基因mRNA及其蛋白在卵巢癌和卵巢癌肿瘤干细胞中的表达及意义。方法:选取10例正常卵巢上皮组织、10例卵巢良性肿瘤及60例卵巢癌组织,采用逆转录酶-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法和免疫组织化学PV-6000两步法检测Nanog mRNA和蛋白表达水平;采用无血清悬浮培养法从SKOV-3卵巢癌细胞株中分离培养肿瘤干细胞,流式细胞术鉴定肿瘤干细胞CD117表达,采用RT-PCR和Western Blot方法检测SKOV-3卵巢癌细胞及肿瘤干细胞中NanogmRNA及其蛋白的表达水平。结果:Nanog mRNA在卵巢癌组织中的表达水平均高于正常卵巢组织和卵巢良性肿瘤组织(P<0.05);Nanog mRNA在不同分化程度及临床分期的卵巢癌组织中表达水平不同,低分化组高于高分化组(P<0.05);III-IV期高于I-II期(P<0.05);免疫组化结果同RT-PCR。从SKOV-3卵巢癌细胞株中成功分离出肿瘤干细胞,SKOV-3卵巢癌细胞和肿瘤干细胞Nanog mRNA相对含量分别为0.6044±0.0368,0.8736±0.0537,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),两种细胞Nanog蛋白相对含量分别为0.6364±0.0169 1.2788±0.0314,差别具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:Nanog基因在卵巢癌组织和SKOV-3细胞系中均高表达,其在组织中的表达强度与临床分期及病理分级关系密切,且在肿瘤干细胞中表达高于一般卵巢癌细胞,其与卵巢癌的发生发展关系密切,可能是卵巢癌干细胞的表面标志物,有望成为新的标志物。     

Nerve growth factor induces the expression of chaperone protein calreticulin in human epithelial ovarian cells

Epithelial ovarian cancer is highly angiogenic and high expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a proangiogenic protein. Calreticulin is a multifunctional protein with anti-angiogenic properties and its translocation to the tumor cell membrane promotes recognition and engulfment by dendritic cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate calreticulin expression in human normal ovaries, benign and borderline tumors, and epithelial ovarian cancer samples and to evaluate whether NGF regulates calreticulin expression in human ovarian surface epithelium and in epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines. Calreticulin mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry in 67 human ovarian samples obtained from our Institution. Calreticulin expression induced by NGF stimulation in cell lines was evaluated using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. We found a significant increase of calreticulin mRNA levels in epithelial ovarian cancer samples as compared to normal ovaries, benign tumors, and borderline tumors. Calreticulin protein levels, evaluated by Western blot, were also increased in epithelial ovarian cancer with respect to benign and borderline tumors. When HOSE and A2780 cell lines were stimulated with Nerve Growth Factor, we found an increase in calreticulin protein levels compared to controls. This effect was reverted by GW441756, a TRKA specific inhibitor. These results suggest that NGF regulates calreticulin protein levels in epithelial ovarian cells through TRKA receptor activation.     

Stimulation of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase by retinoic acid coincides with inhibition of cell proliferation in human 3AO ovarian cancer cells

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (LPGDS; PGH(2)D-isomerase; EC 5.3.99.2) is a bifunctional protein first identified in the mammalian brain. It acts as a PGD(2)-producing enzyme and a retinoid transporter. Recent studies have shown that LPGDS is anomalously expressed in ovarian tumors and that retinoid may have a role as an ovarian cancer chemotherapeutic agent. To determine whether there is a relationship between retinoid and LPGDS in ovarian tumors, we examined the regulation of the gene encoding LPGDS by all-trans retinoic acid (RA). Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that RA strongly induced the accumulation of LPGDS mRNA in human 3AO ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with RA induced the synthesis and secretion of LPGDS into the culture medium. This increased expression of LPGDS was accompanied by an inhibition of cell proliferation in the ovarian cancer cells. Prostaglandin D synthase, ovarian cancer, retinoic acid, real-time quantitative RT-PCR.     

Modulation of p38 MAPK signaling enhances dendritic cell activation of human CD4+ Th17 responses to ovarian tumor antigen

The recent finding that Th17 infiltration of ovarian tumors positively predicts patient outcomes suggests that Th17 responses play a protective role in ovarian tumor immunity. This observation has led to the question of whether Th17 cells could be induced or expanded to therapeutic advantage by tumor vaccination. In this study, we show that treatment of ovarian tumor antigen-loaded, cytokine-matured human dendritic cells (DC) with a combination of IL-15 and a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor offers potent synergy in antagonism of CD4⁺ Treg induction and redirection toward CD4⁺ Th17 responses that correlate with strong CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activation. Ovarian tumor antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells secrete high levels of IL-17 and show reduced expression of CTLA-4, PD-1, and Foxp3 following activation with IL-15/p38 inhibitor-treated DC. We further show that modulation of p38 MAPK signaling in DC is associated with reduced expression of B7-H1 (PD-L1), loss of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity, and increased phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 MAPK. These observations may allow the development of innovative DC vaccination strategies to boost Th17 immunity in ovarian cancer patients.     

ZD4054, a potent endothelin receptor A antagonist, inhibits ovarian carcinoma cell proliferation

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is present at high concentrations in ovarian cancer ascites and is overexpressed in primary and metastatic ovarian carcinomas. In these tumors, the presence of ET-1 correlates with tumor grade, enhanced neovascularization, and with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. ET-1 acts as an autocrine factor selectively through ET(A) receptor (ET(A)R), predominantly expressed in ovarian carcinoma cells resulting in increased VEGF production and VEGF-mediated angiogenic effects. Previous results demonstrated that in ovarian carcinoma cells, activation of the ET-1/ET(A)R axis promotes cell proliferation, neovascularization, and invasion, which are the principal hallmarks of tumor progression. The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro effects of trans, trans-2(4-methoxydhenyl)-4-(1-3-benzodiazol-5-yl)-1-(dibutylaminocarbonylmethyl)-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (ZD4054), an orally active specific ET(A)R antagonist, on the ET-1-induced mitogenic effect in OVCA 433 and HEY ovarian carcinoma cell lines secreting ET-1 and expressing ET(A)R and ET(B)R mRNA. We show that ET(A)R blockade by ZD4054 inhibits ET-1-induced mitogenic effects, while the ET(B)R antagonist, BQ 788, is ineffective. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that ZD4054 is capable in inhibiting the proliferative activity of ET-1, indicating that this specific ET(A)R antagonist may be a potential candidate in developing novel treatment of ovarian carcinoma.     

Legumain: a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of human ovarian cancer

Legumain is a member of the asparaginyl endopeptidase family that is over‐expressed in response to hypoxic stress on mammary adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, proliferating endothelial cells, and tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). Here, we demonstrate that elevated expression of legumain in ovarian cancer by a proteomic approach using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). To investigate the relationship between legumain expression and ovarian cancer development, we tested legumain expression in malignant human ovarian tumors (n = 60), borderline ovarian tumors (n = 20), benign ovarian tumors (n = 20), and normal ovary samples (n = 20) using immunohistochemical assay (IHC). A correlation between legumain expression, and clinocopathologic and biological variables was also established. Importantly, increased legumain expression was validated by real‐time PCR and Western blots, correlated positively with an increased malignancy of ovarian tumors (P < 0.01). In fact, patients with strong legumain expression had a worse prognosis (P = 0.03). In addition, results of in vitro experiments revealed that over‐expression of legumain correlates with increased cell migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Although legumain's functional role and clinical utility remain to be established, our results indicated that a sensitive assay for early expression of legumain may serve as both a potential biomarker and a molecular target for treatment of ovarian cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2679–2686, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Relationship between the Inflammatory Molecular Profile of Breast Carcinomas and Distant Metastasis Development

Inflammatory conditions may promote tumor progression and aggressiveness. In previous reports, we found a group of breast cancer tumors characterized by metalloprotease-11 (MMP-11) expression by intratumoral mononuclear inflammatory cells (MICs), which was associated with distant metastasis development. Thus, in the present study we evaluated the relationship between MMP-11 expression by MICs, distant metastasis development, and a wide panel of inflammatory factors in breast carcinoma. In an initial approach, we analyzed 65 factors associated with tumor progression and inflammation, in a tumor population classified in good or bad prognosis, based on MMP-11 expression by intratumoral MICs. The most differentially expressed factors were then analyzed in a wider tumor population classified according to MMP-11 expression by MICs and also according to metastasis development. These analyses were carried out by Real-time PCR. The results showed that of the 65 starting factors analyzed, those related with MMP-11 expression by MICs were: IL-1, −5, −6, −8, −17, −18, MMP-1, TIMP-1, ADAM-8, −10, −15, −23, ADAMTS-1, −2, −15, Annexin A2, IFNβ, Claudin-3, CCL-3, MyD88, IRAK-4 and NFκB. Of them, factors more differentially expressed between both groups of tumors were IL-1, IL-5, IL-6, IL-17, IFNβ and NFκB. Thereafter, we confirmed in the wider tumor population, that there is a higher expression of those factors in tumors infiltrated by MMP-11 positive MICs. Altogether these results indicate that tumors developing worse prognosis and identified by MMP-11 expression by intratumoral MICs, shows an up-regulation of inflammatory-related genes.     

IL-8 reduced tumorigenicity of human ovarian cancer in vivo due to neutrophil infiltration

Paclitaxel is a frontline therapy for ovarian cancer. Our laboratory has shown that paclitaxel induces IL-8, a member of the C-X-C family of chemokines, in subsets of human ovarian cancer cells. However, the critical issue concerns the biological significance of this chemokine in human ovarian cancer. To study the influence of IL-8 on tumor growth, human ovarian cancer cell lines were transfected with an expression vector for human IL-8 and tested for their ability to form tumors in nude mice. IL-8 expression by the transfected cells did not alter their growth properties in vitro. In contrast, tumor growth in vivo was significantly attenuated in animals receiving IL-8-expressing cells when compared with mice injected with control cells. As additional evidence that IL-8 is a crucial factor in tumor growth, it was noted that ovarian cell lines in which constitutive IL-8 expression is elevated did not form tumors. Injection of neutralizing Ab to IL-8 reverted the phenotype and caused tumor growth in vivo. Examination of tissue from the inoculation site revealed a dramatically elevated cellularity, containing neutrophils and macrophages, in mice receiving IL-8-expressing tumor cells. These results suggest that IL-8 production by human ovarian tumor cells can play a role in reducing the rate of tumor growth; this effect may be mediated by the increased targeting of neutrophil and other mononuclear cells to the tumor injection site. These studies indicate a role for IL-8 in ovarian cancer control and suggest that chemotherapy-induced IL-8 may have a positive role in controlling tumor growth.