Genetically modified tumour vaccines producing IL-12 augment chemotherapy of HPV16-associated tumours with gemcitabine.

Genetically modified tumour cells producing cytokines such as interleukin 12 (IL-12) are potent activators of the antitumour immune responses and represent a promising therapeutic modality when combined with chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to examine whether IL-12-producing cellular vaccines can augment chemotherapy of human papilloma virus (HPV) 16-associated murine tumours with the cytostatic agent gemcitabine (GEM). We found that peritumoral administration of IL-12-producing tumour vaccines enhanced the effect of cytoreductive therapy with GEM both in non-metastasizing murine carcinoma TC-1 and in metastasizing murine carcinoma MK16.