HLA-A*0201-presented epitopes from oncofetal laminin receptor protein have been identified

07-27-2006

Scientists have identified HLA-A*0201-presented T cell epitopes derived from the oncofetal antigen-immature laminin receptor protein in patients with hematological malignancies.

"The oncofetal antigen immature laminin receptor (OFA-iLR) is a potential target molecule for immunotherapeutic studies in several tumor entities, including hematological malignancies. In the present study, we characterize two HLA-A*0201-presented epitopes eliciting strong OFA-iLR peptide-specific human cytotoxic T cell (CTLs) responses in vitro," investigators in Germany and the United States report.

"Both allogeneic HLA-A*0201-matched and autologous CTLs recognized and killed endogenously OFA-iLR-expressing tumor cell lines and primary malignant cells from patients with hemopoietic malignancies in an MHC-restricted fashion but spared nonmalignant hemopoietic cells," said Sandra Siegel at General Hospital St. Georg in Germany and collaborators. "Spontaneous OFA-iLR peptide-specific T cell reactivity was detectable in a significant proportion of leukemia patients. Interestingly, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma but not in those with acute myeloid leukemia, significant frequencies of OFA peptide-specific CTLs could be detected in an early stage of disease but disappeared in patients with progressive disease."

The researchers noted, "The identification of OFA-iLR-derived peptide epitopes provides a basis for tumor immunological studies and therapeutic vaccination strategies in patients with OFA-iLR-expressing malignancies."

Siegel and her coauthors published their study in the Journal of Immunology (Identification of HLA-A*0201-presented T cell epitopes derived from the oncofetal antigen-immature laminin receptor protein in patients with hematological malignancies. J Immunol, 2006;176(11):6935-6944).

For additional information, contact Matthias Zeis, General Hospital St. Georg, Department of Hematology, Lohmuhlenstrasse 5, D-20099 Hamburg, Germany. E-mail: mzeis47@hotmail.com.

The publisher of the Journal of Immunology can be contacted at: American Association of Immunologists, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

Keywords: Hamburg, Germany, Leukemia Vaccine, Cancer Vaccine, Vaccine Development, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Oncology, Hematology, Proteomics.

This article was prepared by Cancer Vaccine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Cancer Vaccine Week via NewsRx.com.