Each T cell receptor (TCR) recognizes a peptide antigen bound to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)molecule via a clonotypic αβ heterodimeric structure (Ti) non-covalently associated with the monomorphic CD3 signaling components. A crystal structure of an αβ TCR-anti-TCR Fab complex shows an Fab fragment derived from the H57 monoclonal antibody (mAb), interacting with the elongated FG loop of the Cβ domain, situated beneath the Vβ domain. This loop, along with the partially exposed ABED β sheet of Cβ, and glycans attached to both Cβ and Cα domains, forms a cavity of sufficient size to accommodate a single non-glycosylated Ig domain such as the CD3ε ectodomain. That this asymmetrically localized site is embedded within the rigid constant domain module has implications for the mechanism of signal transduction in both TCR and pre-TCR complexes. Furthermore, quaternary structures of TCRs vary significantly even when they bind the same MHC molecule, as manifested by a unique twisting of the V module relative to the C module.

The epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases has been reported to have an active role in a number of malignancies. Amplifications and overexpression of various EGFR family members, including EGFR, Her2, and ErbB3, have been reported in epithelial ovarian cancer. Although anti-EGFR-targeted therapy has shown limited clinical activity in ovarian cancer to date, a recent report suggests that activation of ErbB3, one of the members of the EGFR family, may support the growth and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and that ErbB3 may therefore serve as a potential therapeutic target in this disease. Here, we review the EGFR family and the clinical experience with anti-EGFR family member-directed therapies in ovarian cancer to date.

Objective Prior studies suggest an increased risk of cervical cancer among women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the relationship with immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) is not well studied in U.S. nationwide cohorts. We compared the risk of high-grade cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer among women with SLE who started ISDs versus hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Methods We identified SLE patients initiating ISD or HCQ using claims data from two US commercial health plans and Medicaid (2000–2012). We used a validated claims-based algorithm to identify high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer. To account for potential confounders including demographic factors, comorbidities, medication use, HPV vaccination status, and health care utilization, ISD and HCQ initiators were 1:1 matched on the propensity score (PS). We used inverse variance-weighted, fixed effect models to pool hazard ratios (HR) from the PS-matched Medicaid and commercial cohorts. Results We included 2,451 matched pairs of ISD and HCQ new users in the commercial cohort and 7,690 matched pairs in Medicaid. In the commercial cohort, there were 14 cases of cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer among ISD users and 5 cases among HCQ users (HR 2.47, 95% CI 0.89–6.85, HCQ=ref). In Medicaid, there were 46 cases among ISD users and 29 cases in HCQ users (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.78–1.98, HCQ=ref). The pooled HR of ISD was 1.40 (95% CI 0.92–2.12). Conclusion Among women with SLE, ISDs may be associated with a greater, albeit not statistically significant, risk of high-grade cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer compared to patients receiving HCQ alone.

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