1
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Nagarsheth NB, Norberg SM, Sinkoe AL, Adhikary S, Meyer TJ, Lack JB, Warner AC, Schweitzer C, Doran SL, Korrapati S, Stevanović S, Trimble CL, Kanakry JA, Bagheri MH, Ferraro E, Astrow SH, Bot A, Faquin WC, Stroncek D, Gkitsas N, Highfill S, Hinrichs CS. TCR-engineered T cells targeting E7 for patients with metastatic HPV-associated epithelial cancers. Nat Med 2021; 27:419-425. [PMID: 33558725 PMCID: PMC9620481 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-01225-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered T cell therapy can induce remarkable tumor responses in hematologic malignancies. However, it is not known if this type of therapy can be applied effectively to epithelial cancers, which account for 80-90% of human malignancies. We have conducted a first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial of T cells engineered with a T cell receptor targeting HPV-16 E7 for the treatment of metastatic human papilloma virus-associated epithelial cancers (NCT02858310). The primary endpoint was maximum tolerated dose. Cell dose was not limited by toxicity with a maximum dose of 1 × 1011 engineered T cells administered. Tumor responses following treatment were evaluated using RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) guidelines. Robust tumor regression was observed with objective clinical responses in 6 of 12 patients, including 4 of 8 patients with anti-PD-1 refractory disease. Responses included extensive regression of bulky tumors and complete regression of most tumors in some patients. Genomic studies, which included intra-patient tumors with dichotomous treatment responses, revealed resistance mechanisms from defects in critical components of the antigen presentation and interferon response pathways. These findings demonstrate that engineered T cells can mediate regression of common carcinomas, and they reveal immune editing as a constraint on the curative potential of cellular therapy and possibly other immunotherapies in advanced epithelial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha B Nagarsheth
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Scott M Norberg
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew L Sinkoe
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Thomas J Meyer
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Justin B Lack
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- NIAID Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew C Warner
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | - Stacey L Doran
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Soumya Korrapati
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sanja Stevanović
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cornelia L Trimble
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer A Kanakry
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mohammad Hadi Bagheri
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erin Ferraro
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Adrian Bot
- Kite, A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - William C Faquin
- Pathology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Stroncek
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nikolaos Gkitsas
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven Highfill
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christian S Hinrichs
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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2
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Freen-van Heeren JJ, Popović B, Guislain A, Wolkers MC. Human T cells employ conserved AU-rich elements to fine-tune IFN-γ production. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:949-958. [PMID: 32112565 PMCID: PMC7384093 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Long‐lasting CD8+ T cell responses are critical in combatting infections and tumors. The pro‐inflammatory cytokine IFN‐γ is a key effector molecule herein. We recently showed that in murine T cells the production of IFN‐γ is tightly regulated through adenylate uridylate–rich elements (AREs) that are located in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the Ifng mRNA molecule. Loss of AREs resulted in prolonged cytokine production in activated T cells and boosted anti‐tumoral T cell responses. Here, we investigated whether these findings can be translated to primary human T cells. Utilizing CRISPR‐Cas9 technology, we deleted the ARE region from the IFNG 3′ UTR in peripheral blood‐derived human T cells. Loss of AREs stabilized the IFNG mRNA in T cells and supported a higher proportion of IFN‐γ protein‐producing T cells. Importantly, combining MART‐1 T cell receptor engineering with ARE‐Del gene editing showed that this was also true for antigen‐specific activation of T cells. MART‐1‐specific ARE‐Del T cells showed higher percentages of IFN‐γ producing T cells in response to MART‐1 expressing tumor cells. Combined, our study reveals that ARE‐mediated posttranscriptional regulation is conserved between murine and human T cells. Furthermore, generating antigen‐specific ARE‐Del T cells is feasible, a feature that could potentially be used for therapeutical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian J Freen-van Heeren
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research-Amsterdam UMC Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Branka Popović
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research-Amsterdam UMC Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aurélie Guislain
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research-Amsterdam UMC Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monika C Wolkers
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research-Amsterdam UMC Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Buetow KH, Meador LR, Menon H, Lu YK, Brill J, Cui H, Roe DJ, DiCaudo DJ, Hastings KT. High GILT Expression and an Active and Intact MHC Class II Antigen Presentation Pathway Are Associated with Improved Survival in Melanoma. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 203:2577-2587. [PMID: 31591149 PMCID: PMC6832889 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The MHC class I Ag presentation pathway in melanoma cells has a well-established role in immune-mediated destruction of tumors. However, the clinical significance of the MHC class II Ag presentation pathway in melanoma cells is less clear. In Ag-presenting cells, IFN-γ-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is critical for MHC class II-restricted presentation of multiple melanoma Ags. Although not expressed in benign melanocytes of nevi, GILT and MHC class II expression is induced in malignant melanocytes in a portion of melanoma specimens. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas cutaneous melanoma data set showed that high GILT mRNA expression was associated with improved overall survival. Expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β was positively associated with GILT expression in melanoma specimens. These cytokines were capable of inducing GILT expression in human melanoma cells in vitro. GILT protein expression in melanocytes was induced in halo nevi, which are nevi undergoing immune-mediated regression, and is consistent with the association of GILT expression with improved survival in melanoma. To explore potential mechanisms of GILT's association with patient outcome, we investigated pathways related to GILT function and expression. In contrast to healthy skin specimens, in which the MHC class II pathway was nearly uniformly expressed and intact, there was substantial variation in the MHC class II pathway in the The Cancer Genome Atlas melanoma specimens. Both an active and intact MHC class II pathway were associated with improved overall survival in melanoma. These studies support a role for GILT and the MHC class II Ag presentation pathway in melanoma outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth H Buetow
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Lydia R Meador
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Hari Menon
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004
| | - Yih-Kuang Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Jacob Brill
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Haiyan Cui
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Denise J Roe
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724; and
| | | | - K Taraszka Hastings
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004;
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
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4
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Inderberg EM, Wälchli S, Myhre MR, Trachsel S, Almåsbak H, Kvalheim G, Gaudernack G. T cell therapy targeting a public neoantigen in microsatellite instable colon cancer reduces in vivo tumor growth. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1302631. [PMID: 28507809 PMCID: PMC5414866 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1302631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR) transfer is an attractive strategy to increase the number of cancer-specific T cells in adoptive cell therapy. However, recent clinical and pre-clinical findings indicate that careful consideration of the target antigen is required to limit the risk of off-target toxicity. Directing T cells against mutated proteins such as frequently occurring frameshift mutations may thus be a safer alternative to tumor-associated self-antigens. Furthermore, such frameshift mutations result in novel polypeptides allowing selection of TCRs from the non-tolerant T-cell repertoire circumventing the problem of low affinity TCRs due to central tolerance. The transforming growth factor β Receptor II frameshift mutation (TGFβRIImut) is found in Lynch syndrome cancer patients and in approximately 15% of sporadic colorectal and gastric cancers displaying microsatellite instability (MSI). The -1A mutation within a stretch of 10 adenine bases (nucleotides 709-718) of the TGFβRII gene gives rise to immunogenic peptides previously used for vaccination of MSI+ colorectal cancer patients in a Phase I clinical trial. From a clinically responding patient, we isolated a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone showing a restriction for HLA-A2 in complex with TGFβRIImut peptide. Its TCR was identified and shown to redirect T cells against colon carcinoma cell lines harboring the frameshift mutation. Finally, T cells transduced with the HLA-A2-restricted TGFβRIImut-specific TCR were demonstrated to significantly reduce the growth of colorectal cancer and enhance survival in a NOD/SCID xenograft mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Else M Inderberg
- Section for Cellular Therapy, Department for Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sébastien Wälchli
- Section for Cellular Therapy, Department for Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Section for Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marit R Myhre
- Section for Cellular Therapy, Department for Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sissel Trachsel
- Section for Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Almåsbak
- Section for Cellular Therapy, Department for Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunnar Kvalheim
- Section for Cellular Therapy, Department for Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gustav Gaudernack
- Section for Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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5
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Textor A, Schmidt K, Kloetzel PM, Weißbrich B, Perez C, Charo J, Anders K, Sidney J, Sette A, Schumacher TNM, Keller C, Busch DH, Seifert U, Blankenstein T. Preventing tumor escape by targeting a post-proteasomal trimming independent epitope. J Exp Med 2016; 213:2333-2348. [PMID: 27697836 PMCID: PMC5068242 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Blankenstein and colleagues describe a novel strategy to avoid tumor escape from adoptive T cell therapy. Adoptive T cell therapy (ATT) can achieve regression of large tumors in mice and humans; however, tumors frequently recur. High target peptide-major histocompatibility complex-I (pMHC) affinity and T cell receptor (TCR)-pMHC affinity are thought to be critical to preventing relapse. Here, we show that targeting two epitopes of the same antigen in the same cancer cells via monospecific T cells, which have similar pMHC and pMHC-TCR affinity, results in eradication of large, established tumors when targeting the apparently subdominant but not the dominant epitope. Only the escape but not the rejection epitope required postproteasomal trimming, which was regulated by IFN-γ, allowing IFN-γ–unresponsive cancer variants to evade. The data describe a novel immune escape mechanism and better define suitable target epitopes for ATT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Textor
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Schmidt
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biochemistry, Charité, Campus Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter-M Kloetzel
- Institute for Biochemistry, Charité, Campus Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bianca Weißbrich
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Cynthia Perez
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jehad Charo
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathleen Anders
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Ton N M Schumacher
- The Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christin Keller
- Institute for Biochemistry, Charité, Campus Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Seifert
- Institute for Biochemistry, Charité, Campus Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.,Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas Blankenstein
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany .,Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Charité, Campus Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Sottile R, Pangigadde PN, Tan T, Anichini A, Sabbatino F, Trecroci F, Favoino E, Orgiano L, Roberts J, Ferrone S, Kärre K, Colucci F, Carbone E. HLA class I downregulation is associated with enhanced NK-cell killing of melanoma cells with acquired drug resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Eur J Immunol 2015; 46:409-19. [PMID: 26564811 PMCID: PMC4832274 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The frequent development of drug resistance to targeted therapies in cancer patients has stimulated interest in strategies counteracting resistance. Combining immunotherapies with targeted therapies is one such strategy. In this context, we asked whether human NK cells can target melanoma cells that have acquired resistance to selective inhibitors targeting activating mutants of the B‐Raf kinase (BRAF inhibitors, BRAFi). We generated drug‐resistant cell variants in vitro from human BRAF‐mutant melanoma cell lines MEL‐HO, COLO‐38, SK‐MEL‐37, 1520 and from primary melanoma cells freshly isolated from two patients. All drug‐resistant cell variants remained susceptible to lysis by IL‐2‐activated NK cells; and two BRAFi‐resistant lines (BRAFi‐R) became significantly more susceptible to NK‐cell lysis than their parental lines. This was associated with significant HLA class I antigen downregulation and PD‐L1 upregulation on the drug‐resistant lines. Although blocking HLA class I enhanced the extent of lysis of both BRAFi‐R and parental cells to NK‐cell‐mediated lysis, antibody‐mediated inhibition of PD1–PD‐L1 interactions had no detectable effect. HLA class I antigen expression on BRAFi‐R melanoma variants thus appears to play a major role in their susceptibility to NK‐cell cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that NK‐cell‐based immunotherapy may be a viable approach to treat melanoma patients with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Sottile
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pradeepa N Pangigadde
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Thomas Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Elvira Favoino
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Orgiano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Roberts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ennio Carbone
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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7
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Wang L, Xu Y, Luo C, Sun J, Zhang J, Lee MW, Bai A, Chen G, Frenz CM, Li Z, Huang W. MAGEA10 gene expression in non-small cell lung cancer and A549 cells, and the affinity of epitopes with the complex of HLA-A(∗)0201 alleles. Cell Immunol 2015; 297:10-8. [PMID: 26058806 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MAGEA10, a cancer/testis antigens expressed in tumors but not in normal tissues with the exception of testis and placenta, represents an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. However, suppressive cytoenvironment and requirement of specific HLA-alleles presentation frequently led to immunotherapy failure. In this study MAGEA10 was scarcely expressed in cancer patients, but enhanced by viili polysaccharides, which indicates a possibility of increasing epitopes presentation. Furthermore the correlation of gene expression with methylation, indicated by R(2) value for MAGEA10 that was 3 times higher than the value for other MAGE genes tested, provides an explanation of why MAGEA10 was highly inhibited, this is also seen by Kaplan-Meier analysis because MAGEA10 did not change the patients' lifespan. By using Molecular-Docking method, 3 MAGEA10 peptides were found binding to the groove position of HLA-A(∗)0210 as same as MAGEA4 peptide co-crystallized with HLA-A(∗)0210, which indicates that they could be promising for HLA-A(∗)0201 presentation in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Likui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
| | - Yuefang Xu
- Department of pharmacy, First Hospital Affiliated to PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100037, PR China.
| | - Cheng Luo
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, Tartu 51010, Estonia.
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Jinlu Zhang
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Ming-Wei Lee
- School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung-Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung City 402, Taiwan.
| | - Aiping Bai
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Guanhua Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Christopher M Frenz
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, USA.
| | - Zhengguo Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Wenlin Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
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8
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Caputo E, Wang E, Valentino A, Crispi S, De Giorgi V, Fico A, Ficili B, Capone M, Anniciello A, Cavalcanti E, Botti G, Mozzillo N, Ascierto PA, Marincola FM, Travali S. Ran signaling in melanoma: implications for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Cancer Lett 2014; 357:286-296. [PMID: 25444926 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We performed a comparative study between two human metastatic melanoma cell lines (A375 and 526), and melanocytes (FOM78) by gene expression profiling and pathway analysis, using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. Genes involved in Ran signaling were significantly over-represented (p ≤ 0.001) and up-regulated in melanoma cells. A melanoma-associated molecular pathway was identified, where Ran, Aurora Kinase A (AurkA) and TERT were up-regulated, while c-myc and PTEN were down-regulated. A consistent high Ran and AurkA gene expression was detected in about 48% and 53%, respectively, of 113 tissue samples from metastatic melanoma patients. AurkA down-regulation was observed in melanoma cells, by Ran knockdown, suggesting AurkA protein is a Ran downstream target. Furthermore, AurkA inhibition, by exposure of melanoma cells to MLN8054, a specific AurKA inhibitor, induced apoptosis in both melanoma cell lines and molecular alterations in the IPA-identified molecular pathway. These alterations differed between cell lines, with an up-regulation of c-myc protein level observed in 526 cells and a slight reduction seen in A375 cells. Moreover, Ran silencing did not affect the A375 invasive capability, while it was enhanced in 526 cells, suggesting that Ran knockdown, by AurkA down-regulation, resulted in a Ran-independent enhanced melanoma cell invasion. Finally, AurK A inhibition induced a PTEN up-regulation and its action was independent of B-RAF mutational status. These findings provide insights relevant for the development of novel therapeutic strategies as well as for a better understanding of mechanisms underlying therapy resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Caputo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics -I.G.B. A. Buzzati-Traverso- CNR, Naples I-80131, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania I-95124, Italy.
| | - Ena Wang
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM), Clinical Center (CC), Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States; Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anna Valentino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics -I.G.B. A. Buzzati-Traverso- CNR, Naples I-80131, Italy
| | - Stefania Crispi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics -I.G.B. A. Buzzati-Traverso- CNR, Naples I-80131, Italy; Institute of Biosciences and BioResources-IBB, CNR, Naples I-8013, Italy
| | - Valeria De Giorgi
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM), Clinical Center (CC), Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Annalisa Fico
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics -I.G.B. A. Buzzati-Traverso- CNR, Naples I-80131, Italy
| | - Bartolomea Ficili
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania I-95124, Italy
| | - Mariaelena Capone
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples I-80131, Italy
| | | | | | - Gerardo Botti
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples I-80131, Italy
| | - Nicola Mozzillo
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples I-80131, Italy
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples I-80131, Italy
| | - Francesco M Marincola
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section (IDIS), Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM), Clinical Center (CC), Center for Human Immunology (CHI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States; Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salvatore Travali
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania I-95124, Italy
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9
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Liu Q, Tomei S, Ascierto ML, De Giorgi V, Bedognetti D, Dai C, Uccellini L, Spivey T, Pos Z, Thomas J, Reinboth J, Murtas D, Zhang Q, Chouchane L, Weiss GR, Slingluff CL, Lee PP, Rosenberg SA, Alter H, Yao K, Wang E, Marincola FM. Melanoma NOS1 expression promotes dysfunctional IFN signaling. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:2147-59. [PMID: 24691438 DOI: 10.1172/jci69611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In multiple forms of cancer, constitutive activation of type I IFN signaling is a critical consequence of immune surveillance against cancer; however, PBMCs isolated from cancer patients exhibit depressed STAT1 phosphorylation in response to IFN-α, suggesting IFN signaling dysfunction. Here, we demonstrated in a coculture system that melanoma cells differentially impairs the IFN-α response in PBMCs and that the inhibitory potential of a particular melanoma cell correlates with NOS1 expression. Comparison of gene transcription and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) between melanoma cells from different patients indicated that suppression of IFN-α signaling correlates with an amplification of the NOS1 locus within segment 12q22-24. Evaluation of NOS1 levels in melanomas and IFN responsiveness of purified PBMCs from patients indicated a negative correlation between NOS1 expression in melanomas and the responsiveness of PBMCs to IFN-α. Furthermore, in an explorative study, NOS1 expression in melanoma metastases was negatively associated with patient response to adoptive T cell therapy. This study provides a link between cancer cell phenotype and IFN signal dysfunction in circulating immune cells.
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10
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Peters HL, Yan Y, Solheim JC. APLP2 regulates the expression of MHC class I molecules on irradiated Ewing's sarcoma cells. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e26293. [PMID: 24353913 PMCID: PMC3862638 DOI: 10.4161/onci.26293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) is a pediatric cancer that is conventionally treated by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Innovative immunotherapies to treat EWS are currently under development. Unfortunately for EWS patients, when the disease is found to be resistant to current therapeutic approaches, the prognosis is predictably grim. Radiation therapy and immunotherapy could potentially synergize in the eradication of EWS, as some studies have previously shown that irradiation increases the presence of immune receptors, including MHC class I molecules, on the surface of tumor cells. However, EWS cells have been reported to express low levels of MHC class I molecules, a phenotype that would inhibit T-cell mediated lysis. We have previously demonstrated that the transgene-driven overexpression of amyloid β (A4) precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) reduces the expression of MHC class I molecules on the surface of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. We thus examined whether endogenously expressed APLP2 downregulates MHC class I expression on EWS cells, particularly upon irradiation. We found that irradiation induces the relocalization of APLP2 and MHC class I molecules on the surface of EWS cells, redistributing cells from subpopulations with relatively low APLP2 and high MHC class I into subpopulations with relatively high APLP2 and low MHC class I surface expression. Consistent with these findings, the transfection of an APLP2-targeting siRNA into EWS cells increased MHC class I expression on the cell surface. Furthermore, APLP2 was found by co-immunoprecipitation to bind to MHC class I molecules. Taken together, these findings suggest that APLP2 inhibits MHC class I expression on the surface of irradiated EWS cells by a mechanism that involves APLP2/MHC class I interactions. Thus, therapeutic strategies that limit APLP2 expression may boost the ability of T cells to recognize and eradicate EWS in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley L Peters
- Eppley Institute; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA
| | - Ying Yan
- Eppley Institute; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA
| | - Joyce C Solheim
- Eppley Institute; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA ; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA ; Department of Pathology and Microbiology; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA
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11
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Liu X, Nie H, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Maitikabili A, Qu Y, Shi S, Chen C, Li Y. Cell surface-specific N-glycan profiling in breast cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72704. [PMID: 24009699 PMCID: PMC3751845 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant changes in specific glycans have been shown to be associated with immunosurveillance, tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastasis. In this study, the N-glycan profiling of membrane proteins from human breast cancer cell lines and tissues was detected using modified DNA sequencer-assisted fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (DSA-FACE). The N-glycan profiles of membrane proteins were analyzed from 7 breast cancer cell lines and MCF 10A, as well as from 100 pairs of breast cancer and corresponding adjacent tissues. The results showed that, compared with the matched adjacent normal tissue samples, two biantennary N-glycans (NA2 and NA2FB) were significantly decreased (p <0.0001) in the breast cancer tissue samples, while the triantennary glycan (NA3FB) and a high-mannose glycan (M8) were dramatically increased (p = 0.001 and p <0.0001, respectively). Moreover, the alterations in these specific N-glycans occurred through the oncogenesis and progression of breast cancer. These results suggested that the modified method based on DSA-FACE is a high-throughput detection technology that is suited for analyzing cell surface N-glycans. These cell surface-specific N-glycans may be helpful in recognizing the mechanisms of tumor cell immunologic escape and could be potential targets for new breast cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Huan Nie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yubao Zhang
- Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuanfei Yao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Alaiyi Maitikabili
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Youpeng Qu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shuliang Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Cuiying Chen
- Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail: (YL); (CC)
| | - Yu Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- * E-mail: (YL); (CC)
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12
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Hulpke S, Baldauf C, Tampé R. Molecular architecture of the MHC I peptide-loading complex: one tapasin molecule is essential and sufficient for antigen processing. FASEB J 2012; 26:5071-80. [PMID: 22923333 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-217489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The loading of antigen-derived peptides onto MHC class I molecules for presentation to cytotoxic T cells is a key process in adaptive immune defense. Loading of MHC I is achieved by a sophisticated machinery, the peptide-loading complex (PLC), which is organized around the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) with the help of several auxiliary proteins. As an essential adapter protein recruiting MHC I molecules to TAP, tapasin catalyzes peptide loading of MHC I. However, the exact stoichiometry and basic molecular architecture of TAP and tapasin within the PLC remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that two tapasin molecules are assembled in the PLC, with one tapasin bound to each TAP subunit. However, one tapasin molecule bound either to TAP1 or TAP2 is sufficient for efficient MHC I antigen presentation. By specifically blocking the interaction between tapasin-MHC I complexes and the translocation complex TAP, the MHC I surface expression is impaired to the same extent as with soluble tapasin. Thus, the proximity of the peptide supplier TAP to the acceptor MHC I is crucial for antigen processing. In summary, the human PLC consists maximally of 2× tapasin-ERp57/MHC I per TAP complex, but one tapasin-ERp57/MHC I in the PLC is essential and sufficient for antigen processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hulpke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter and Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt (CEF)-Macromolecular Complexes, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt a.M., Germany
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13
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Direct evidence that the N-terminal extensions of the TAP complex act as autonomous interaction scaffolds for the assembly of the MHC I peptide-loading complex. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:3317-27. [PMID: 22638925 PMCID: PMC3437018 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1005-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The loading of antigenic peptides onto major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules is an essential step in the adaptive immune response against virally or malignantly transformed cells. The ER-resident peptide-loading complex (PLC) consists of the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1 and TAP2), assembled with the auxiliary factors tapasin and MHC I. Here, we demonstrated that the N-terminal extension of each TAP subunit represents an autonomous domain, named TMD0, which is correctly targeted to and inserted into the ER membrane. In the absence of coreTAP, each TMD0 recruits tapasin in a 1:1 stoichiometry. Although the TMD0s lack known ER retention/retrieval signals, they are localized to the ER membrane even in tapasin-deficient cells. We conclude that the TMD0s of TAP form autonomous interaction hubs linking antigen translocation into the ER with peptide loading onto MHC I, hence ensuring a major function in the integrity of the antigen-processing machinery.
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14
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Haggerty TJ, Dunn IS, Rose LB, Newton EE, Kurnick JT. A screening assay to identify agents that enhance T-cell recognition of human melanomas. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2011; 10:187-201. [PMID: 22085019 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2011.0379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although a series of melanoma differentiation antigens for immunotherapeutic targeting has been described, heterogeneous expression of antigens such as Melan-A/MART-1 and gp100 results from a loss of antigenic expression in many late stage tumors. Antigen loss can represent a means for tumor escape from immune recognition, and a barrier to immunotherapy. However, since antigen-negative tumor phenotypes frequently result from reversible gene regulatory events, antigen enhancement represents a potential therapeutic opportunity. Accordingly, we have developed a cell-based assay to screen for compounds with the ability to enhance T-cell recognition of melanoma cells. This assay is dependent on augmentation of MelanA/MART-1 antigen presentation by a melanoma cell line (MU89). T-cell recognition is detected as interleukin-2 production by a Jurkat T cell transduced to express a T-cell receptor specific for an HLA-A2 restricted epitope of the Melan-A/MART-1 protein. This cellular assay was used to perform a pilot screen by using 480 compounds of known biological activity. From the initial proof-of-principle primary screen, eight compounds were identified as positive hits. A panel of secondary screens, including orthogonal assays, was used to validate the primary hits and eliminate false positives, and also to measure the comparative efficacy of the identified compounds. This cell-based assay, thus, yields consistent results applicable to the screening of larger libraries of compounds that can potentially reveal novel molecules which allow better recognition of treated tumors by T cells.
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15
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Belicha-Villanueva A, Golding M, McEvoy S, Sarvaiya N, Cresswell P, Gollnick SO, Bangia N. Identification of an alternate splice form of tapasin in human melanoma. Hum Immunol 2010; 71:1018-26. [PMID: 20600451 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2010.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2009] [Revised: 05/18/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Assembly of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules with peptide in the endoplasmic reticulum requires the assistance of tapasin. Alternative splicing, which is known to regulate many genes, has been reported for tapasin only in the context of mutations. Here, we report on an alternate splice form of tapasin (tpsnΔEx3) derived from a human melanoma cell line that does not appear to be caused by mutations. Excision of exon 3 results in deletion of amino acids 70 to 156 within the beta barrel region, but the membrane proximal Ig domain, the transmembrane domain, and cytoplasmic tail of tapasin are intact. Introduction of tpsnΔEx3 into a tapasin-deficient cell line does not restore MHC class I expression at the cell surface. Similar to a previously described tapasin mutant (tpsnΔN50), tpsnΔEx3 interacts with TAP. Therefore, we used these altered forms of tapasin to test the importance of MHC class I interaction with TAP. In the presence of wild-type tapasin, transfection of tpsnΔN50, but not tpsnΔEx3, reduced MHC class I expression at the cell surface likely due its ability to compete MHC class I molecules from TAP. Together these findings suggest that tumor cells may contain alternate splice forms of tapasin which may regulate MHC class I antigen presentation.
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16
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Chen JS, Chen KT, Fan CW, Han CL, Chen YJ, Yu JS, Chang YS, Chien CW, Wu CP, Hung RP, Chan EC. Comparison of membrane fraction proteomic profiles of normal and cancerous human colorectal tissues with gel-assisted digestion and iTRAQ labeling mass spectrometry. FEBS J 2010; 277:3028-38. [PMID: 20546304 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07712.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to uncover the membrane protein profile differences between colorectal carcinoma and neighboring normal mucosa from colorectal cancer patients. Information from cellular membrane proteomes can be used not only to study the roles of membrane proteins in fundamental biological processes, but also to discover novel targets for improving the management of colorectal cancer patients. We used solvent extraction and a gel-assisted digestion method, together with isobaric tags with related and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) reagents to label tumoral and adjacent normal tissues in a pairwise manner (n = 8). For high-throughput quantification, these digested labeled peptides were combined and simultaneously analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Using the shotgun approach, we identified a total of 438 distinct proteins from membrane fractions of all eight patients. After comparing protein expression between cancerous and corresponding normal tissue, we identified 34 upregulated and eight downregulated proteins with expression changes greater than twofold (Student's t-test, P < 0.05). Among these, the overexpression of well-established biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigens (CEACAM5, CEACAM6), as well as claudin-3, HLA class I histocompatibility antigen A-1, tapasin and mitochondrial solute carrier family 25A4 were confirmed by western blotting. We conclude that gel-assisted digestion and iTRAQ labeling MS is a potential approach for uncovering and comparing membrane protein profiles of tissue samples that has the potential to identify novel biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinn-Shiun Chen
- Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao Yuan, Taiwan
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17
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Hiroishi K, Eguchi J, Baba T, Shimazaki T, Ishii S, Hiraide A, Sakaki M, Doi H, Uozumi S, Omori R, Matsumura T, Yanagawa T, Ito T, Imawari M. Strong CD8(+) T-cell responses against tumor-associated antigens prolong the recurrence-free interval after tumor treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastroenterol 2010; 45:451-8. [PMID: 19936602 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-009-0155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM We investigated whether tumor-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses affect tumor-free survival as well as the relationship between CD8(+) T-cell responses against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and the clinical course after tumor treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Twenty patients with HCC that were treated by radiofrequency ablation or trans-catheter chemo-embolization (TACE) and in whom HCC was undetectable by ultrasonography, CT, and/or MRI 1 month after treatment were enrolled in the study. Before and after treatment for HCC, analyses of TAA (glypican-3, NY-ESO-1, and MAGE-1)-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses were evaluated with an interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay using peripheral CD8(+) T-cells, monocytes, and 104 types of 20-mer synthetic peptide overlapping by 10 residues and spanning the entirety of the 3 TAAs. RESULTS Sixteen out of 20 patients (80%) showed a positive response (> or = 10 TAA-specific cells/10(5) CD8(+) T-cells) before or after treatment. When we performed univariate analysis of prognostic factors for the tumor-free period in the 20 patients, platelet count, prothrombin time, and the number of TAA-specific CD8(+) T-cells after treatment were significant factors (P = 0.027, 0.030, and 0.004, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the magnitude of the TAA-specific CD8(+) T-cell response (> or = 40 TAA-specific cells/10(5) CD8(+) T-cells) was the only significant prognostic factor for a prolonged tumor-free interval (hazard ratio 0.342, P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that strong TAA-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses suppress the recurrence of HCC. Immunotherapy to induce TAA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by means such as the use of peptide vaccines should be considered for clinical application in patients with HCC after local therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Hiroishi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
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18
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Briggs JJ, Haugen MH, Johansen HT, Riker AI, Abrahamson M, Fodstad Ø, Maelandsmo GM, Solberg R. Cystatin E/M suppresses legumain activity and invasion of human melanoma. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:17. [PMID: 20074384 PMCID: PMC2822816 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 01/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background High activity of cysteine proteases such as legumain and the cathepsins have been shown to facilitate growth and invasion of a variety of tumor types. In breast cancer, several recent studies have indicated that loss of the cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin E/M leads to increased growth and metastasis. Although cystatin E/M is normally expressed in the skin, its role in cysteine protease regulation and progression of malignant melanoma has not been studied. Methods A panel of various non-melanoma and melanoma cell lines was used. Cystatin E/M and C were analyzed in cell media by immunoblotting and ELISA. Legumain, cathepsin B and L were analyzed in cell lysates by immunoblotting and their enzymatic activities were analyzed by peptide substrates. Two melanoma cell lines lacking detectable secretion of cystatin E/M were transfected with a cystatin E/M expression plasmid (pCST6), and migration and invasiveness were studied by a Matrigel invasion assay. Results Cystatin E/M was undetectable in media from all established melanoma cell lines examined, whereas strong immunobands were detected in two of five primary melanoma lines and in two of six lines derived from patients with metastatic disease. Among the four melanoma lines secreting cystatin E/M, the glycosylated form (17 kD) was predominant compared to the non-glycosylated form (14 kD). Legumain, cathepsin B and L were expressed and active in most of the cell lines, although at low levels in the melanomas expressing cystatin E/M. In the melanoma lines where cystatin E/M was secreted, cystatin C was generally absent or expressed at a very low level. When melanoma cells lacking secretion of cystatin E/M were transfected with pCST6, their intracellular legumain activity was significantly inhibited. In contrast, cathepsin B activity was not affected. Furthermore, invasion was suppressed in cystatin E/M over-expressing melanoma cell lines as measured by the transwell Matrigel assay. Conclusions These results suggest that the level of cystatin E/M regulates legumain activity and hence the invasive potential of human melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon J Briggs
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
Whole-cell tumor vaccines have been investigated for more than 20 years for their efficacy in both preclinical models and in clinical trials in humans. There are clear advantages of whole-cell/polyepitope vaccination over those types of immunotherapy that target specific epitopes. Multiple and unknown antigens may be targeted to both the innate and adaptive immune system, and this may be further augmented by genetic modification of the vaccine cells to provide cytokines and costimulation. In this review, we give an overview of the field including the preclinical and clinical advances using unmodified and modified tumor-cell vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Copier
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, St. George's University of London, London, UK
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20
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Voss CY, Deola S, Fleisher TA, Marincola FM. Increased effector-target cell conjugate formation due to HLA restricted specific antigen recognition. Immunol Res 2009; 45:13-24. [PMID: 18696013 PMCID: PMC3506644 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-008-8041-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The T cell receptor (TCR) orchestrates T cell mediated-cytotoxicity through a complex interaction that results in an antigen-specific effector-target cell conjugate formation. While it is well recognized that specific TCR/antigen interactions generate the immunological synapse, their direct contribution to the effector-target cell conjugate has not been conclusively demonstrated. Moreover, since human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones are also susceptible to antigen-independent adhesion to target cells, it remains unclear whether effector-target cell conjugate formation can serve as an indicator of specific antigen recognition by the TCR. To address this question, a well-characterized epitope-specific CTL clone recognizing the melanoma-associated antigen epitope gp100:209-217 in association with HLA-A*0201 was tested against melanoma cell lines lacking or expressing the HLA-A*0201 allele and/or gp100. In this model, TCR/HLA/antigen interactions cooperated with accessory/adhesion molecules to facilitate effector-target cell conjugate formation. HLA-restricted antigen recognition played a dominant role resulting in up to 2-fold increases in conjugate frequency, and a 50% increase of CTL binding to tumor cells over background. The increased number of CTL contained in conjugates correlated with the number of IFN-gamma producing CTL. These results warrant further investigation to evaluate conjugate assays as a potential tool to detect and isolate viable and functionally active CTL. Since conjugate formation analysis does not require knowledge of the target antigen, this assay could potentially be used for enrichment of CTL directed against novel antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching Y. Voss
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sara Deola
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Thomas A. Fleisher
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Francesco M. Marincola
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Lin X, Wang X, Capek HL, Simone LC, Tuli A, Morris CR, Reber AJ, Solheim JC. Effect of invariant chain on major histocompatibility complex class I molecule expression and stability on human breast tumor cell lines. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2008; 58:729-36. [PMID: 18828016 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0595-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2007] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Invariant chain (Ii) binds to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecule and assists it in the process of peptide acquisition. In addition, Ii binds to the HLA class I molecule, although there has been little study of its effects on the HLA class I molecule. In addition to its normal expression on antigen-presenting cells, Ii expression is up regulated in a variety of tumors. By flow cytometric analysis, we found that expression of Ii resulted in an increase in the number of cell surface HLA class I molecules and in the proportion of unstable HLA class I molecules at the surface of breast tumor cell lines. These data suggest that the expression of Ii by tumor cells may quantitatively and qualitatively alter the presentation of antigens on those cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuede Lin
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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22
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Sabatino M, Zhao Y, Voiculescu S, Monaco A, Robbins P, Karai L, Nickoloff BJ, Maio M, Selleri S, Marincola FM, Wang E. Conservation of genetic alterations in recurrent melanoma supports the melanoma stem cell hypothesis. Cancer Res 2008; 68:122-31. [PMID: 18172304 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-1939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
It is generally accepted that human cancers derive from a mutated single cell. However, the genetic steps characterizing various stages of progression remain unclear. Studying a unique case of metastatic melanoma, we observed that cell lines derived from metachronous metastases arising over a decade retained a central core of genetic stability in spite of divergent phenotypes. In the present study, we expanded our previous observations comparing these autologous cell lines of clonal derivation with allogeneic ones and correlated array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) with gene expression profiling to determine their relative contribution to the dynamics of disease progression. aCGH and gene expression profiling were performed on autologous cell lines and allogeneic melanoma cell lines originating from other patients. A striking correlation existed between total extent of genetic imbalances, global transcriptional patterns, and cellular phenotypes. They did not follow a strict temporal progression but stemmed independently at various time points from a central core of genetic stability best explained according to the cancer stem cell hypothesis. Although their contribution was intertwined, genomic imbalances detectable by aCGH contributed only 25% of the transcriptional traits determining autologous tumor distinctiveness. Our study provides important insights about the dynamics of cancer progression and supports the development of targeted anticancer therapies aimed against stable genetic factors that are maintained throughout the end stage of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Sabatino
- Infectious Disease and Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, Biometrics Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1184, USA
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Belicha-Villanueva A, McEvoy S, Cycon K, Ferrone S, Gollnick SO, Bangia N. Differential contribution of TAP and tapasin to HLA class I antigen expression. Immunology 2008; 124:112-20. [PMID: 18194274 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2007.02746.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of class I human leucocyte antigens (HLA) on the surface of malignant cells is critical for their recognition and destruction by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Surface expression requires assembly and folding of HLA class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum with the assistance of proteins such as Transporter associated with Antigen Processing (TAP) and tapasin. Interferon-gamma induces both TAP and tapasin so dissection of which protein contributes more to HLA class I expression has not been possible previously. In this study, we take advantage of a human melanoma cell line in which TAP can be induced, but tapasin cannot. Interferon-gamma increases TAP protein levels dramatically but HLA class I expression at the cell surface does not increase substantially, indicating that a large increase in peptide supply is not sufficient to increase HLA class I expression. On the other hand, transfection of either allelic form of tapasin (R240 or T240) enhances HLA-B*5001 and HLA-B*5701 antigen expression considerably with only a modest increase in TAP. Together, these data indicate that in the presence of minimal TAP activity, tapasin can promote substantial HLA class I expression at the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Belicha-Villanueva
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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Fonsatti E, Nicolay HJM, Sigalotti L, Calabrò L, Pezzani L, Colizzi F, Altomonte M, Guidoboni M, Marincola FM, Maio M. Functional Up-regulation of Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Antigens Expression by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine in Cutaneous Melanoma: Immunotherapeutic Implications. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:3333-8. [PMID: 17545540 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-3091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the potential of the DNA hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic approaches against melanocyte differentiation antigens. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effect of 5-aza-CdR on the constitutive expression of gp100 was investigated in 11 human melanoma cell lines by real-time reverse transcription-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) analyses. 5-aza-CdR-mediated changes in the levels of expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens and HLA-A2 allospecificity, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and leukocyte-function-associated antigen-3 were investigated by IIF analysis on melanoma cells under study. The recognition of gp100-positive Mel 275 melanoma cells, treated or not with 5-aza-CdR, by HLA-A2-restricted gp100((209-217))-specific CTL was investigated by (51)Cr-release assays, IFN-gamma release and IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays. RESULTS The constitutive expression of gp100 was not affected by 5-aza-CdR on all melanoma cells investigated. Compared with untreated cells, the exposure of Mel 275 melanoma cells to 5-aza-CdR significantly (P < 0.05) up-regulated their expression of HLA class I antigens and of ICAM-1. These phenotypic changes significantly (P < 0.05) increased the lysis of 5-aza-CdR-treated Mel 275 melanoma cells by gp100-specific CTL and increased their IFN-gamma release. 5-aza-CdR treatment of Mel 275 cells also induced a higher number of gp100-specific CTL to secrete IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with 5-aza-CdR improves the recognition of melanoma cells by gp100-specific CTL through the up-regulation of HLA class I antigens expression; ICAM-1 also contributes to this phenomenon. These findings highlight a broader range of therapeutic implications of 5-aza-CdR when used in association with active or adoptive immunotherapeutic approaches against a variety of melanoma-associated antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Fonsatti
- Division of Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy
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Abstract
Mounting effective anti-tumor immune responses against tumors by both the innate and adaptive immune effectors is important for the clearance of tumors. However, accumulated evidence indicates that immune responses that should otherwise suppress or eliminate transformed cells are themselves suppressed by the function of tumor cells in a variety of cancer patients, including those with oral cancers. Signaling abnormalities, spontaneous apoptosis, and reduced proliferation and function of circulating natural killer cells (NK), T-cells, dendritic cells (DC), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been documented previously in oral cancer patients. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the functional deficiencies of tumor-associated immune cells in oral cancer patients. Both soluble factors and contact-mediated immunosuppression by the tumor cells have been implicated in the inhibition of immune cell function and the progression of tumors. More recently, elevated levels and function of key transcription factors in tumor cells, particularly NFkappaB and STAT3, have been shown to mediate immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. This review will focus on these emerging mechanisms of immunosuppression in oral cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jewett
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine 90095-1688, USA.
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Lyons GE, Moore T, Brasic N, Li M, Roszkowski JJ, Nishimura MI. Influence of human CD8 on antigen recognition by T-cell receptor-transduced cells. Cancer Res 2007; 66:11455-61. [PMID: 17145893 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The CD8 coreceptor on T cells has two functions. Namely, CD8 acts to stabilize the binding of the T-cell receptor (TCR) to the peptide-MHC complex while localizing p56(lck) (lck) to the TCR/CD3 complex to facilitate early signaling events. Although both functions may be critical for efficient activation of a CTL, little is known about how the structural versus signaling roles of CD8, together with the relative strength of the TCR, influences T-cell function. We have addressed these issues by introducing full-length and truncated versions of the CD8alpha and CD8beta chains into CD8(-) Jurkat cell clones expressing cloned TCRs with known antigen specificity and relative affinities. Using a combination of antigen recognition and tetramer-binding assays, we find that the intracellular lck-binding domain of CD8 is critical for enhanced T-cell activation regardless of the relative strength of the TCR. In contrast, the extracellular domain of CD8 seems to be critical for TCRs with lower affinity but not those with higher affinity. Based on our results, we conclude that there are different requirements for CD8 to enhance T-cell function depending on the strength of its TCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen E Lyons
- Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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27
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Planelles D, Nagore E, Moret A, Botella-Estrada R, Vila E, Guillén C, Montoro JA. HLA class II polymorphisms in Spanish melanoma patients: homozygosity for HLA-DQA1 locus can be a potential melanoma risk factor. Br J Dermatol 2006; 154:261-6. [PMID: 16433795 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06896.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of melanoma with HLA class II loci is under extensive debate. Different investigators have found discrepant results due to, at least in part, sample size, patient series heterogeneity, choice of control population and differences in the techniques employed for the detection of HLA antigens and alleles. OBJECTIVES This study was designed to analyse the possible association of melanoma with HLA class II loci with regard to different clinic pathological factors and to investigate other risk factors for melanoma susceptibility, such as HLA homozygosity. PATIENTS AND METHODS HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 genotyping was performed for 117 eastern Spanish patients presenting with primary melanoma. RESULTS Although there were no significant alterations in the phenotypic frequencies of HLA-DQA1, -DQB1 or -DRB1 alleles in any subgroup of patients when compared with controls, patients exhibited a statistically significant increase in HLA-DQA1 homozygosity rate. This DQA1 homozygosity-specific association was particularly dependent on some features in melanoma patients such as light hair colour, skin type I or II, early age at diagnosis, absence of atypical naevi, or abscence of atypical naevus syndrome phenotype (aetiological fractions about 10-20%). Analysis of homozygosity for single DQA1 alleles showed an increased homozygosity rate for DQA1*0505 and DQA1*0301 in comparison with controls. These DQA1 alleles are in strong linkage disequilibrium with DQB1*0301 in white populations, and DQB1*0301 homozygous individuals were significantly increased in red in or fair-haired patients (relative risk 5.65). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the contribution of HLA class II alleles to primary melanoma incidence is not significant in the Spanish population. However, homozygosity for the HLA-DQA1 locus (and, perhaps, for the HLA-DQB1*0301 allele) might be considered a potential risk factor for developing melanoma depending on the person's genetic background and, perhaps, on certain environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Planelles
- Laboratory of Histocompatibility-Molecular Biology, Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad Valenciana, Avenida del Cid, 65-A, 46014-Valencia, Spain.
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28
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Wang E, Voiculescu S, Le Poole IC, El-Gamil M, Li X, Sabatino M, Robbins PF, Nickoloff BJ, Marincola FM. Clonal Persistence and Evolution During a Decade of Recurrent Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2006; 126:1372-7. [PMID: 16470173 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A patient with metastatic cutaneous melanoma responsive to immunotherapy experienced several recurrences over a decade of observation. With each recurrence, biopsies were obtained and cell lines generated. A rare mutation of the beta-catenin gene and an unbalanced methylation of the androgen receptor were documented in all cell lines. Karyotyping and comparative genomic hybridization identified consistent genetic traits in spite of divergent phenotypes, suggesting that all the metastases were derived from the same primary tumor, although they were each probably not derived from the most recent previous metastasis in a sequential manner. Thus, metastatic melanoma recurs from a common progenitor cell and phenotypic changes occur around a central core of genetic stability. This observation may bear significance for the development of targeted anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ena Wang
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
In the past decade, basic studies in animal models have begun to elucidate the physiological barriers which impede a successful antitumor immune response. These barriers operate at a number of levels, and involve the tumor, the tumor microenvironment and various components of the innate and adaptive immune systems. In this review, we discuss the multiple mechanisms by which tumors evade an immune response, with an emphasis on clinically relevant strategies to overcome these inhibitory checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles G Drake
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland 20892, USA
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30
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Wang E, Panelli MC, Marincola FM. Gene profiling of immune responses against tumors. Curr Opin Immunol 2005; 17:423-7. [PMID: 15950448 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2005.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2005] [Accepted: 05/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Clinical trials of tumor-antigen-specific immunization have clearly shown that immune-mediated tumor rejection requires more than simple T cell-target cell interactions. In vivo generation of tumor-specific T cells is one of a series of steps necessary for the induction of clinically relevant immune responses. In recent years, high-throughput functional genomics exposed the complexity of tumor immune biology, which underlies the kaleidoscopic array of variables associated with cancer instability and immunogenetic variability in humans. In the quest to understand immune rejection, hypothesis-driven approaches have failed to take into account the intricacy of human pathology by relying mostly on hypotheses derived from experimental models rather than direct clinical observation. Future investigations should reframe scientific thinking when applied to humans, utilizing descriptive tools to generate novel hypotheses relevant to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ena Wang
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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31
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Wong R, Lau R, Chang J, Kuus-Reichel T, Brichard V, Bruck C, Weber J. Immune responses to a class II helper peptide epitope in patients with stage III/IV resected melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 10:5004-13. [PMID: 15297401 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The importance of CD8(+) cytolytic T cells for protection from viral infection and in the generation of immune responses against tumors has been well established. In contrast, the role of CD4(+) T-helper cells in human infection and in cancer immunity has yet to be clearly defined. In this pilot study, we show that immunization of three resected, high-risk metastatic melanoma patients with a T-helper epitope derived from the melanoma differentiation antigen, melanoma antigen recognized by T cells-1, results in CD4(+) T-cell immune responses. Immune reactivity to that epitope was detected by DR4-peptide tetramer staining, and enzyme-linked immunospot assay of fresh and restimulated CD4(+) T cells from patients over the course of the 12-month vaccine regimen. The postvaccine CD4(+) T cells exhibited a mixed T-helper 1/T-helper 2 phenotype, proliferated in response to the antigen and promiscuously recognized the peptide epitope bound to different human leukocyte antigen-DRbeta alleles. For 1 DRbeta1*0401(+) patient, antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells recognized human leukocyte antigen-matched antigen-expressing tumor cells, secreted granzyme B, and also exhibited cytolysis that was MHC class II-restricted. These data establish the immunogenicity of a class II epitope derived from a melanoma-associated antigen and support the inclusion of class II peptides in future melanoma vaccine therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Wong
- Department of Medicine, Keck/University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
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32
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Gückel B, Stumm S, Rentzsch C, Marmé A, Mannhardt G, Wallwiener D. A CD80-transfected human breast cancer cell variant induces HER-2/neu-specific T cells in HLA-A*02-matched situations in vitro as well as in vivo. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2005; 54:129-40. [PMID: 15365776 PMCID: PMC11034349 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-004-0583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2004] [Accepted: 06/14/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Adjuvant treatment is still only working in a small percentage of breast cancer patients. Therefore, new strategies need to be developed. Immunotherapies are a very promising approach because they could successfully attack tumor cells in the stage of dormancy. To assess the feasibility of using an allogeneic approach for vaccination of breast cancer patients, we selected a CD80-transfected breast cancer cell line based on its immunogenic properties. Using CD80+ KS breast cancer cells and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02-matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of breast cancer patients in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell cultures (MLTCs), it was possible to isolate HLA-A*02-restricted cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). Furthermore, a genetically modified KS variant expressing influenza A matrix protein serving as a surrogate tumor-associated antigen (TAA) was able to stimulate flu peptide-specific T cells alongside the induction of alloresponses in MLTCs. KS breast cancer cells were demonstrated to express already known TAAs such as CEA, MUC-1, MAGE-1, MAGE-2, and MAGE-3. To further improve antigenicity, HER-2/neu was added to this panel as a marker antigen known to elicit HLA-A*02-restricted CTLs in patients with breast cancer. Thus, the antigen-processing and antigen-presentation capacity of KS cells was further demonstrated by the stimulation of HER-2/neu-specific CD8+ T cells in PBMCs of breast cancer patients in vitro. These results gave a good rationale for a phase I/II trial, where the CD80+ HER-2/neu-overexpressing KS variant is actually used as a cellular vaccine in patients with metastatic breast cancer. As a proof of principle, we present data from two patients where a significant increase of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) release was detected when postvaccination PBMCs were stimulated by allogeneic vaccine cells as well as by HLA-A*02-restricted HER-2/neu epitopes. In whole cell vaccine trials, monitoring is particularly challenging because of strong alloresponses and limited knowledge of TAAs. In this study, a panel of HER-2/neu epitopes, together with the quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR method to analyze vaccine-induced cytokines secreted by T cells, proved to be highly sensitive and feasible to perform an "immunological staging" following vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Gückel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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33
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Wang E, Panelli MC, Zavaglia K, Mandruzzato S, Hu N, Taylor PR, Seliger B, Zanovello P, Freedman RS, Marincola FM. Melanoma-restricted genes. J Transl Med 2004; 2:34. [PMID: 15488140 PMCID: PMC527872 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-2-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2004] [Accepted: 10/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Human metastatic cutaneous melanoma has gained a well deserved reputation for its immune responsiveness. The reason(s) remain(s) unknown. We attempted previously to characterize several variables that may affect the relationship between tumor and host immune cells but, taken one at the time, none yielded a convincing explanation. With explorative purposes, high-throughput technology was applied here to portray transcriptional characteristics unique to metastatic cutaneous melanoma that may or may not be relevant to its immunogenic potential. Several functional signatures could be identified descriptive of immune or other biological functions. In addition, the transcriptional profile of metastatic melanoma was compared with that of primary renal cell cancers (RCC) identifying several genes co-coordinately expressed by the two tumor types. Since RCC is another immune responsive tumor, commonalities between RCC and melanoma may help untangle the enigma of their potential immune responsiveness. This purely descriptive study provides, therefore, a map for the investigation of metastatic melanoma in future clinical trials and at the same time may invite consideration of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ena Wang
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Monica C Panelli
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Katia Zavaglia
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Susanna Mandruzzato
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, Oncology Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nan Hu
- Cancer Prevention Studies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Phil R Taylor
- Cancer Prevention Studies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Paola Zanovello
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, Oncology Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ralph S Freedman
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Francesco M Marincola
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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34
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Jin P, Zhao Y, Ngalame Y, Panelli MC, Nagorsen D, Monsurró V, Smith K, Hu N, Su H, Taylor PR, Marincola FM, Wang E. Selection and validation of endogenous reference genes using a high throughput approach. BMC Genomics 2004; 5:55. [PMID: 15310404 PMCID: PMC516027 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-5-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2004] [Accepted: 08/13/2004] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endogenous reference genes are commonly used to normalize expression levels of other genes with the assumption that the expression of the former is constant in different tissues and in different physiopathological conditions. Whether this assumption is correct it is, however, still matter of debate. In this study, we searched for stably expressed genes in 384 cDNA array hybridization experiments encompassing different tissues and cell lines. RESULTS Several genes were identified whose expression was highly stable across all samples studied. The usefulness of 8 genes among them was tested by normalizing the relative gene expression against test genes whose expression pattern was known. The range of accuracy of individual endogenous reference genes was wide whereas consistent information could be obtained when information pooled from different endogenous reference genes was used. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that even when the most stably expressed genes in array experiments are used as endogenous reference, significant variation in test gene expression estimates may occur and the best normalization is achieved when data from several endogenous reference genes are pooled together to minimize minimal but significant variation among samples. We are presently optimizing strategies for the preparation of endogenous reference gene mixtures that could yield information comparable to that of data pooled from individual endogenous reference gene normalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Jin
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Abstract
Given the vast number of genetic and epigenetic changes associated with carcinogenesis, it is clear that tumors express many neoantigens. A central question in cancer immunology is whether recognition of tumor antigens by the immune system leads to activation (i.e., surveillance) or tolerance. Paradoxically, while strong evidence exists that specific immune surveillance systems operate at early stages of tumorigenesis, established tumors primarily induce immune tolerance. A unifying hypothesis posits that the fundamental processes of cancer progression, namely tissue invasion and metastasis, are inherently proinflammatory and thus activating for innate and adaptive antitumor immunity. To elude immune surveillance, tumors must develop mechanisms that block the elaboration and sensing of proinflammatory danger signals, thereby shifting the balance from activation to tolerance induction. Elucidation of these mechanisms provides new strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Pardoll
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA.
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36
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Kayser S, Watermann I, Rentzsch C, Weinschenk T, Wallwiener D, Gückel B. Tumor-associated antigen profiling in breast and ovarian cancer: mRNA, protein or T cell recognition? J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2003; 129:397-409. [PMID: 12836015 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-003-0445-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2003] [Accepted: 04/04/2003] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The absence of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) which might elicit an immune response is one reason for the disappointing results of therapeutical vaccines in cancer patients. Moreover, impaired expression of MHC class-I and components involved in antigen processing, such as TAP-1, -2, LMP-2, -7, and MECL-1, may lead to tumor escape from immune recognition. Expression profiling of TAA is one approach towards the design of well-defined and individualized anti-tumor vaccines. METHODS Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the method of choice to characterize immunologically relevant properties of individual tumors. However, the application of qRT-PCR as a surrogate parameter for the expression of TAAs depends upon the assumption that the level of an mRNA species correlates with the cellular level of the protein it encodes. Therefore, we additionally analyzed TAA expression by immunofluorescence and T cell recognition. RESULTS In the present study we were unable to confirm that impaired TAP-1 or -2 (transporter associated with antigen processing) expression characterized at the mRNA level is an appropriate surrogate parameter for down-regulated MHC class-I expression in breast cancer. In addition, we analyzed the expression pattern of TAAs in breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. Besides the well-known over-expression of HER-2/neu, CEA, and MUC-1, multiple antigens of the MAGE-family were frequently co-expressed. We investigated whether detection of TAAs by qRT-PCR correlates with monoclonal antibody staining, and which method could predict T cell recognition. We demonstrated a correlation between tumor cell lysis by HLA-A*0201-restricted, MUC-1-specific CTL and threshold levels of MUC-1-specific mRNA. CONCLUSION MUC-1 is an example that TAA profiling by RT-PCR and flow cytometry can fail to correlate with each other and are of limited value in the prediction of T cell recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kayser
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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Fine CI, Han CD, Sun X, Liu Y, McCutcheon JA. Tobacco reduces membrane HLA class I that is restored by transfection with transporter associated with antigen processing 1 cDNA. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2002; 169:6012-9. [PMID: 12421988 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.169.10.6012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
HLA class I molecules are recognized by CTL that eliminate virally infected and malignantly transformed cells presenting foreign peptide-a process termed immunosurveillance. Many tumors have reduced levels of membrane HLA class I. Tumor cells with mutations that reduce HLA class I avoid immunosurveillance and continue to proliferate. As tobacco use can induce tumors, we examined the effect of tobacco extracts on membrane HLA class I. These studies show that culture of cells in media containing tobacco extracts reduces membrane HLA class I, but not other proteins, on primary keratinocytes and other cell types. Culture in tobacco extracts, but not extracts of other substances, reduces TAP1 protein, but does not reduce expression of HLA class I H chain, L chain, or the housekeeping protein beta-actin. The reduction of TAP1 protein occurs within 4 h and is dose-dependent. Culture in tobacco extracts reduces TAP1 protein abundance, but not steady-state mRNA abundance. Tobacco-treated cells show defects in HLA class I biosynthesis similar to those found in TAP1-deficient cell lines. Transfection with TAP1 cDNA restores TAP1 protein abundance, HLA class I biosynthesis, and cell surface expression. Combined, these data show that culture in tobacco extracts reduces TAP1 protein abundance and membrane HLA class I levels. Reduction in membrane HLA class I could permit subsequent malignant transformation of cells to be undetected by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig I Fine
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
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38
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Khong HT, Restifo NP. Natural selection of tumor variants in the generation of "tumor escape" phenotypes. Nat Immunol 2002; 3:999-1005. [PMID: 12407407 PMCID: PMC1508168 DOI: 10.1038/ni1102-999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 752] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The idea that tumors must "escape" from immune recognition contains the implicit assumption that tumors can be destroyed by immune responses either spontaneously or as the result of immunotherapeutic intervention. Simply put, there is no need for tumor escape without immunological pressure. Here, we review evidence supporting the immune escape hypothesis and critically explore the mechanisms that may allow such escape to occur. We discuss the idea that the central engine for generating immunoresistant tumor cell variants is the genomic instability and dysregulation that is characteristic of the transformed genome. "Natural selection" of heterogeneous tumor cells results in the survival and proliferation of variants that happen to possess genetic and epigenetic traits that facilitate their growth and immune evasion. Tumor escape variants are likely to emerge after treatment with increasingly effective immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung T Khong
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Monsurrò V, Nagorsen D, Wang E, Provenzano M, Dudley ME, Rosenberg SA, Marincola FM. Functional heterogeneity of vaccine-induced CD8(+) T cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2002; 168:5933-42. [PMID: 12023400 PMCID: PMC2553240 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.11.5933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The functional status of circulating vaccine-induced, tumor-specific T cells has been questioned to explain their paradoxical inability to inhibit tumor growth. We enumerated with HLA-A*0201/peptide tetramers (tHLA) vaccine-elicited CD8(+) T cell precursor frequency among PBMC in 13 patients with melanoma undergoing vaccination with the HLA-A*0201-associated gp100:209-217(210 M) epitope. T cell precursor frequency increased from undetectable to 12,400 +/- 3,600 x 10(6) CD8(+) T cells after vaccination and appeared heterogeneous according to previously described functional subtypes: CD45RA(+)CD27(+) (14 +/- 2.6% of tHLA-staining T cells), naive; CD45RA(-)CD27(+) (14 +/- 3.2%), memory; CD45RA(+)CD27(-) (43 +/- 6%), effector; and CD45RA(-)CD27(-) (30 +/- 4.1%), memory/effector. The majority of tHLA(+)CD8(+) T cells displayed an effector, CD27(-) phenotype (73%). However, few expressed perforin (17%). Epitope-specific in vitro stimulation (IVS) followed by 10-day expansion in IL-2 reversed this phenotype by increasing the number of perforin(+) (84 +/- 3.6%; by paired t test, p < 0.001) and CD27(+) (from 28 to 67%; by paired t test, p = 0.01) tHLA(+) T cells. This conversion probably represented a change in the functional status of tHLA(+) T cells rather than a preferential expansion of a CD27(+) (naive and/or memory) PBMC, because it was reproduced after IVS of a T cell clone bearing a classic effector phenotype (CD45RA(+)CD27(-)). These findings suggest that circulating vaccine-elicited T cells are not as functionally active as inferred by characterization of IVS-induced CTL. In addition, CD45RA/CD27 expression may be more informative about the status of activation of circulating T cells than their status of differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladia Monsurrò
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Dirk Nagorsen
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Ena Wang
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Maurizio Provenzano
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Mark E. Dudley
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Steven A. Rosenberg
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Francesco M. Marincola
- Immunogenetics Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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40
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Milling SWF, Silvers WK, Sai T, Mintz B. Decline in MHC class I expression with increasing thickness of cutaneous melanomas in standard-strain transgenic mouse models. Melanoma Res 2002; 12:221-30. [PMID: 12140378 DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200206000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins are required for the formation of complexes with antigenic peptides that enable cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to recognize and lyse target cells. The frequent loss of MHC class I expression reported in human melanomas and melanoma cell lines may therefore be an obstacle to CTL-based immunotherapy. We have investigated the expression of MHC class I proteins in the cutaneous melanomas of Tyr-SV40E (C57BL/6 strain) transgenic mice in order to evaluate their potential as experimental models for immunotherapy. The SV40 large T (LT) oncoprotein, which is expressed exclusively in the melanocytic lineages of these mice, was used as a marker for flow cytometric analysis of the parenchymal (potential target) cells of 35 freshly dissociated samples from 28 primary tumours. All the tumours were ulcerated and exceeded the Breslow thickness indicative of a poor clinical prognosis in human melanoma. Using antibodies against H-2D(b) and H-2K(b) class I proteins, the LT antigen-positive cells were found to have high levels of both these MHC class I molecules in the thinnest tumours (2 mm), whereas the levels tended to decline with increasing tumour thickness. Among the tumours > 4 mm thick, five had no detectable MHC class I expression. Unexpectedly, the apparent loss of H-2D(b) and H-2K(b) proteins was observed not only in LT-positive cells but also in LT-negative cell populations. Expression of both H-2D(b) and H-2K(b) was restored in tumours derived from a class I-low melanoma cell line by treatment of the hosts with interferon-gamma. These results implicate a regulatory defect as a principal cause of the loss of MHC class I antigens, as noted by others in some human tumours, and they demonstrate that this loss is remediable, even in advanced stages of melanomas.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Viral
- Disease Progression
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Genes, MHC Class I
- Genes, Synthetic
- H-2 Antigens/biosynthesis
- H-2 Antigens/genetics
- Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D
- Humans
- Immunologic Factors/pharmacology
- Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use
- Interferon-gamma/pharmacology
- Interferon-gamma/therapeutic use
- Melanocytes/metabolism
- Melanocytes/pathology
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/genetics
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Monophenol Monooxygenase/genetics
- Organ Specificity
- Simian virus 40/genetics
- Skin Neoplasms/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- S W F Milling
- Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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41
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Savage P, Cowburn P, Clayton A, Man S, Lawson T, Ogg G, Lemoine N, McMichael A, Epenetos A. Anti-viral cytotoxic T cells inhibit the growth of cancer cells with antibody targeted HLA class I/peptide complexes in SCID mice. Int J Cancer 2002; 98:561-6. [PMID: 11920616 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.10219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A number of experimental antibody mediated cancer therapies aim to redirect cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) of non-tumour specificity to cancer cells. It has been previously demonstrated that cancer cells targeted with recombinant HLA-class I/viral peptide complexes via antibody delivery systems can be killed by virus specific CTLs. This novel therapeutic system has been developed with a simple pre-clinical model using the recombinant anti-CD20 B9E9 scFvSA fusion protein to target HLA-A2/peptide complexes to CD20 +ve Daudi lymphoma cells. In vitro data confirmed that, although binding of the B9E9 scFvSA fusion protein alone to Daudi cells had no effect on their growth, effective CTL mediated killing of Daudi cells could be achieved by targeting with B9E9 sfvScSA and recombinant HLA-A2/MI complexes at dilutions as low as 100 pg/ml. In contrast the free HLA-A2/MI complexes only significantly inhibited CTL activity at concentrations in excess of 100 ng/ml. The in vivo tumour protection assays in SCID mice demonstrated that only 1 of the 4 mice that received anti-HLA-A2/M1 CTLs and Daudi cells targeted with the B9E9 scFvSA fusion protein and HLA-A2/M1 complexes developed a tumour. In contrast in the control mice that received CTL and native Daudi cells all 4 developed tumours, as did all 4 that received targeted Daudi cells but no CTLs. Similar results were obtained in a parallel experiment using Daudi cells targeted with B9E9 scFvSA and HLA-A2/BMLF1 complexes and a CTL line to HLA-A2/BMLF1. The demonstration of in vivo activity for targeted HLA class I/peptide complexes combined with anti-viral T cells, supports the further clinical development of the system where it may be combined with autologous CTLs produced by vaccination or ex vivo expansion.
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42
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Mocellin S, Fetsch P, Abati A, Phan GQ, Wang E, Provenzano M, Stroncek D, Rosenberg SA, Marincola FM. Laser scanning cytometry evaluation of MART-1, gp100, and HLA-A2 expression in melanoma metastases. J Immunother 2001; 24:447-58. [PMID: 11759068 DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200111000-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of antigen expression by solid tumors has relied predominantly on immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and more recently quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. However, all these techniques present intrinsic limits. The laser scanning cytometer, by combining the properties of light and fluorescence microscopy with those of laser cytometry, can quantitatively and objectively analyze hypocellular samples such as fine-needle aspirates on an individual cell basis. To validate the fidelity of laser scanning cytometry for quantitative immunophenotyping of fine-needle aspirates, the authors measured the expression of the melanoma-associated antigens MART-1 and gp100 as well as HLA-A2, a HLA class 1 restriction element associated with their recognition by melanoma-specific T cells. Expression of melanoma antigens and HLA was measured by laser scanning cytometry and immunohistochemistry in fine-needle aspirates from melanoma metastases. In addition, transcription levels of both melanoma antigens were recorded by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A quantity of less than 1,000 cells per sample (average 682 cells) was sufficient for the analysis. Laser scanning cytometry estimates correlated with those of immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for MART-1 and gp100. A good correlation in HLA-A2 detection by laser scanning cytometry and immunohistochemistry was also observed. Moreover, the laser scanning cytometer could discriminate subsets of cells from the same lesion with heterogeneous melanoma antigen expression, leading to the observation that cells with a DNA index greater than 2.5 expressed significantly less gp100. Thus, laser scanning cytometry yields detailed information on protein expression in individual cells and represents a new tool for dissecting the immune response in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mocellin
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1502, USA
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43
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Lally KM, Mocellin S, Ohnmacht GA, Nielsen MB, Bettinotti M, Panelli MC, Monsurro V, Marincola FM. Unmasking cryptic epitopes after loss of immunodominant tumor antigen expression through epitope spreading. Int J Cancer 2001; 93:841-7. [PMID: 11519046 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.1420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The basis of intra-tumoral and systemic T cell reactivity toward cancer remains unclear. In particular the role that peripheral stimuli, whether endogenous or exogenous, play in shaping acquired immune response toward cancer remains poorly understood. In this study we document the surfacing of systemic immune reactivity toward a cryptic epitope from the MAGE-12 gene (MAGE-12:170-178), after temporary regression of a single melanoma metastasis, in response to gp100/PMel17-specific vaccination. This emergence was unlikely related to unusually high expression of MAGE-12 by the tumor, by the influence of analog epitopes to MAGE-12:170-178. Because MAGE-12 was unlikely to be expressed at sites other than the tumor, the demonstration of MAGE-12:170-178 reactivity in post- but not pre-vaccination circulating lymphocytes suggests that the systemically observed immune response was influenced by events induced by the vaccine at tumor site or draining lymph nodal areas. Possibly, as suggested by pre-clinical models, immunologic ignorance is the default response toward cancer in humans unless unusual stimulatory conditions occur in peripheral tissues. Surfacing of MAGE-12 specificity occurred in association with loss of gp100/PMel 17 targeted by the vaccine. This finding suggests that vaccinations might have effects beyond their intrinsic specificity and may trigger broader immune responses through epitope spreading by inducing changes within the tumor microenvironment. This may have important practical implication for the development of immunization strategies. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Lally
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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44
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Galetto A, Contarini M, Sapino A, Cassoni P, Consalvo E, Forno S, Pezzi C, Barnaba V, Mussa A, Matera L. Ex vivo host response to gastrointestinal cancer cells presented by autologous dendritic cells. J Surg Res 2001; 100:32-8. [PMID: 11516202 DOI: 10.1006/jsre.2001.6158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dendritic cells (DCs) capture apoptotic tumors and cross-present their antigens in the MHC class I and class II pathways for recognition by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Here we have tested the ability of fresh surgically resected colon and gastric cancer tumors to specifically activate host T lymphocytes when presented by autologous DCs. METHODS DCs derived from adherent blood mononuclear cells of five patients, after a 7-day culture with GM-CSF and IL-4, were exposed to apoptotic autologous tumor (AAT) or apoptotic autologous peritumor normal (AAN) cells and cultured 24 h with monocyte-conditioned medium to achieve full DC maturation. Tumor-specific response was evaluated as single-cell cytokine release in an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and as cytotoxicity in a cold target inhibition (51)Cr-release assay. RESULTS AAT-DCs induced specific IFN-gamma by T lymphocytes of two patients (rectal and gastric cancer), whereas in another two patients (rectal and gastric cancer) this response was depressed with a similar tumor-specific pattern and in one patient (rectal cancer) there was no response. Activation of IFN-gamma release was accompanied by tumor cytotoxicity and both responses were enhanced by IL-12, indicating the functional integrity of patients' lymphocytes. CONCLUSION These data show that T-cell memory against rectal/gastric carcinoma antigens can be triggered by tumor-loaded autologous DCs. However, escape mechanisms may exist among tumors of the same histological origin that can inhibit this host response. A DC-based antitumor immunological monitoring assay with autologous tumor biopsies may allow patients to be screened to determine those who are suitable candidates for immune-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Galetto
- Department of Oncology, Unity of Oncological Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni, Turin, Italy
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45
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Phan GQ, Wang E, Marincola FM. T-cell-directed cancer vaccines: mechanisms of immune escape and immune tolerance. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2001; 1:511-23. [PMID: 11727522 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.1.3.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent clinical trials using vaccines directed toward tumour-associated antigens (TA) have shown the increasing capacity of vaccines to cause immunologic responses. In fact, strongly reactive TA-specific cytolytic T-lymphocytes and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can be identified and expanded ex vivo from patients with metastatic melanoma vaccinated with melanoma-associated antigens. Paradoxically, this strong immunological response does not correlate with clinical tumour regression. Proposed mechanisms responsible for this glaring inconsistency are numerous and varied; systemic immunosuppressive as well as local mechanistic factors are implicated. In this review we will critically evaluate the possible mechanisms that allow tumours to escape immune destruction and be tolerated by the immune system. In addition, strategies that may allow further insight into the biology of tumour rejection are discussed, in the hope of deepening the understanding of this phenomenon and enhancing its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Q Phan
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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46
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Abstract
Most major advances in human cancer immunology and immunotherapy have come from studies in melanoma. We are beginning to understand the immune repertoire of T cells and antibodies that are active against melanoma, with recent glimpses of the CD4(+) T cell repertoire. The view of what the immune system can see is extending to mutations and parts of the genome that are normally invisible.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Houghton
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Medical School of Cornell University, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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47
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Snyder SR, Wang J, Waring JF, Ginder GD. Identification of CCAAT displacement protein (CDP/cut) as a locus-specific repressor of major histocompatibility complex gene expression in human tumor cells. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:5323-30. [PMID: 11084046 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m009454200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human major histocompatibility (MHC) class I antigen expression is important in controlling the metastatic growth of malignant tumors. Locus-specific down-regulation of MHC class I gene expression is frequently observed in human tumors, leading to decreased susceptibility to cytotoxic T-cell-mediated lysis. The mechanism of this down-regulation is incompletely understood. Here, we describe the identification of human CCAAT displacement protein (CDP/cut) as a locus-specific repressor of HLA-B and C gene expression. Transient and stable transfections in HeLa and K562 cells demonstrated the presence of a repressor element 650 base pairs upstream of the first exon of HLA-B7. A specific binding complex with the HLA-B7 and Cw2 repressor elements was demonstrated by EMSA. Formation of the EMSA complex was inhibited specifically with polyclonal antiserum to human CDP/cut, demonstrating that CDP/cut binds the HLA-B7 repressor element. The corresponding region of the HLA-A2 promoter neither repressed HLA-A2 gene expression nor bound CDP/cut. Overexpression of CDP/cut in cell lines deficient in CDP/cut resulted in a nearly 4-fold repression of reporter constructs containing the HLA-B7 repressor element but not the corresponding region of the HLA-A2 promoter. Repression of HLA-B and C gene expression by CDP/cut does not involve displacement of NF-Y, nor is CDP/cut associated with the histone deacetylase HDAC1 when bound to the HLA-B7 repressor element. To our knowledge, these results identify CDP/cut as the first example of a locus-specific repressor of MHC class I gene transcription in human tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Snyder
- Massey Cancer Center, Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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48
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Kageshita T, Kawakami Y, Ono T. Clinical significance of MART-1 and HLA-A2 expression and CD8+ T cell infiltration in melanocytic lesions in HLA-A2 phenotype patients. J Dermatol Sci 2001; 25:36-44. [PMID: 11154862 DOI: 10.1016/s0923-1811(00)00104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
MART-1 is a good candidate antigen for immunotherapy against HLA-A2 patients with melanoma, since it is a highly immunogenic antigen recognized by HLA-A2 and HLA-B45 restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and expressed in the majority of melanoma lesions. In the present study the expression of MART-1 and HLA-A2 on melanocytic cells and CD8+ T cell infiltration was immunohistochemically analyzed. MART-1 was expressed in most melanocytic lesions, while HLA-A2 was down-regulated with melanoma disease progression. Furthermore, concomitant down-regulation of MART-1 and HLA-A2 in melanoma cells was correlated with poor prognosis. These findings suggest both MART-1 and HLA-A2 expression in melanoma lesions should be analyzed for selection of patients eligible for MART-1 based immunotherapy and monitoring for emergence of melanoma cells resistant to T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kageshita
- Department of Dermatology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, 1-1 Honjo, 860-0811, Kumamoto, Japan.
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49
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Panelli MC, Wunderlich J, Jeffries J, Wang E, Mixon A, Rosenberg SA, Marincola FM. Phase 1 study in patients with metastatic melanoma of immunization with dendritic cells presenting epitopes derived from the melanoma-associated antigens MART-1 and gp100. J Immunother 2000; 23:487-98. [PMID: 10916759 DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200007000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to enhance anti-tumor immune responses in several preclinical models. Furthermore, DC-like function can be elicited from peripheral blood monocytes cultured in vitro with interleukin-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. For this reason, a phase 1 study was initiated at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute to test the toxicity and biological activity of the intravenous administration of peripheral blood monocyte-derived DCs. The DCs were generated by 5- to 7-day incubation in interleukin-4 (1,000 U/mL) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (1,000 U/mL) of peripheral blood monocytes obtained by leukapheresis. Before administration, the DCs were pulsed separately with the HLA-A*0201-associated melanoma epitopes MART-1(27-35) and gp-100-209-2M. The DCs were administered four times at 3-week intervals. A first cohort of patients (n = 3) was treated with 6 x 10(7) DCs and a second cohort (n = 5) with 2 x 10(8) DCs (in either case, one half of the DCs were pulsed with MART-1(27-35) and the other half was pulsed with gp-100-209-2M). In a final cohort under accrual (n = 2) 2 x 10(8) DCs were administered in combination with interleukin-2 (720,000 IU/kg every 8 hours). The recovery of DCs after in vitro culture ranged from 3% to 35% (mean, 15%) of the original peripheral blood monocytes. Administration of DCs caused no symptoms at any of the doses, and the concomitant administration of interleukin-2 did not cause toxicity other than that expected for interleukin-2 alone. Monitoring of patients' cytotoxic T lymphocyte reactivity before and after treatment revealed enhancement of cytotoxic T lymphocyte reactivity only in one of five patients tested. Of seven patients evaluated for response, one had a transient partial response with regression of pulmonary and cutaneous metastases. A relatively large number of DCs can be safely administered intravenously. The poor clinical outcome of this study perhaps could be explained by the type of protocol used for DC maturation, the route of administration, or both. For this reason, this clinical protocol was interrupted prematurely, whereas other strategies for DC preparation and route of administration are being investigated at the authors' institution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Panelli
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1502, USA
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50
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Riker AI, Kammula US, Panelli MC, Wang E, Ohnmacht GA, Steinberg SM, Rosenberg SA, Marincola FM. Threshold levels of gene expression of the melanoma antigen gp100 correlate with tumor cell recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Int J Cancer 2000; 86:818-26. [PMID: 10842196 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(20000615)86:6<818::aid-ijc10>3.0.co;2-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The level of expression of melanoma antigens (MA) may modulate the host immunologic response. Thus, the accurate measurement of MA expression may allow proper patient selection for antigen-specific therapies and yield important information for the evaluation of clinical results. In this study, we measured the absolute levels of MA messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in tumor cell lines utilizing real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). mRNA levels of MART-1, gp100, tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 melanoma differentiation antigens and MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and ESO-1 cancer testis (CT) antigens were compared in 24 early-passage (<5 passages in culture) and 12 archival melanoma cell lines. MA mRNA expression was extremely variable among cell lines, occasionally reaching levels comparable to ribosomal RNA (rRNA). gp100 and MART-1 mRNA levels correlated with protein expression measurement obtained by FACS analysis. More significantly, a threshold of gp100 mRNA expression required for T-cell stimulation and target-cell killing was identified. This threshold level corresponded to approximately 500 mRNA copies per 10(8) copies of rRNA. Our results suggest that the measurements of MA mRNA levels may yield useful information relevant to the interpretation of clinical outcome during antigen-specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Riker
- Surgery Branch, Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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