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MGN-3 arabinoxylan rice bran modulates innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients

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Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells are central components of innate immunity for controlling tumor growth. The therapeutic effects of certain anti-myeloma drugs are partially mediated by targeting the innate immune response. In addition, novel types of natural compounds have been developed that efficiently modulate the activity of both the cellular and humoral compartments of immunity. MGN-3 is known as an activator of natural killer cells, inducer of apoptosis and cytokine production, and modulator of dendritic cell maturation and differentiation in vitro. We have performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine the effects of MGN-3 on innate immune system parameters in 48 multiple myeloma patients. We performed immunophenotypic analysis of peripheral blood samples, determined NK cell activity, and assessed the cytokine profiles of plasma before and during 3 months of treatment. The results demonstrate a clear increase in NK activity in MGN-3-treated patients compared to the placebo group, an increased level of myeloid DCs in peripheral blood, and augmented concentrations of T helper cell type 1-related cytokines. The present study suggests that MGN-3 may represent an immunologically relevant product for activating innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients and warrants further testing to demonstrate clinical efficacy.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all the patients who participated in this study and are grateful to Gitka Sulikova and Janka Chovancova for their assistance with sample processing. The study was supported by research funding from Daiwa Pharmaceutical to J.S.

Conflict of interest

J.S. has received research funding from Daiwa Pharmaceutical. The remaining authors declare no competing conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Research Institute SAS, Vlarska 7, 833 91, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Dana Cholujova, Jana Jakubikova, Luba Hunakova, Jozef Duraj & Jan Sedlak

  2. Department of Hematology and Transfusiology of University Hospital in Bratislava, Hospital of St. Cyril and Method, Antolska 11, 851 07, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Branislav Czako, Michaela Martisova & Martin Mistrik

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  1. Dana Cholujova
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  2. Jana Jakubikova
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  3. Branislav Czako
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Correspondence to Dana Cholujova.

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The authors Dana Cholujova and Jana Jakubikova contributed equally to this work.

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Cholujova, D., Jakubikova, J., Czako, B. et al. MGN-3 arabinoxylan rice bran modulates innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 62, 437–445 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-012-1344-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-012-1344-z

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