A Gene Encoding an Antigen Recognized by Cytolytic T Lymphocytes on a Human Melanoma

Abstract

Many human melanoma tumors express antigens that are recognized in vitro by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) derived from the tumor-bearing patient. A gene was identified that directed the expression of antigen MZ2-E on a human melanoma cell line. This gene shows no similarity to known sequences and belongs to a family of at least three genes. It is expressed by the original melanoma cells, other melanoma cell lines, and by some tumor cells of other histological types. No expression was observed in a panel of normal tissues. Antigen MZ2-E appears to be presented by HLA-A1; anti-MZ2-E CTLs of the original patient recognized two melanoma cell lines of other HLA-A1 patients that expressed the gene. Thus, precisely targeted immunotherapy directed against antigen MZ2-E could be provided to individuals identified by HLA typing and analysis of the RNA of a small tumor sample.

Anti-tumour activity against B16-F10 melanoma with a GM-CSF secreting allogeneic tumour cell vaccine

“…However, this approach demands that the allogeneic tumour cells used as vaccine share some cross-reactive antigens with the autologous tumour. Therefore, work showing that human melanoma tumour antigens are shared in at least 50% of patients [9][10][11] is highly significant to the allogeneic vaccine strategy in that it makes it feasible to prepare a single vaccine containing a set of representative antigens, thereby making this a highly practical approach to translate to the clinic if it can be shown to work in a therapeutic setting. 12 There are now several reports of allogeneic vaccine efficacy in animal models.…”

Long-peptide vaccination with driver gene mutations in p53 and Kras induces cancer mutation-specific effector as well as regulatory T cell responses

“…The first group of tumor-associated Ags (TAAs) can also be expressed by non-transformed tissue and includes over-expressed and differentiation Ags of the tissue the tumor originates from 3 , Ags resulting from abnormal posttranslational modifications 4 , and re-expressed cancer germline Ags. 5,6 In contrast, the second group of strictly tumor specific antigens (TSAs) comprises mutated and oncoviral Ags 7 , which are exclusively expressed by the tumor and are not shared with normal tissue. Therefore, TSAs reduce the risk of autoimmune adverse effects and increase the chance to overcome immune tolerance compared to non-mutated (self-) Ags.…”

MAGE‐A gene expression in peripheral blood serves as a poor prognostic marker for patients with lung cancer

“…Melanoma‐associated antigens (MAGE) belong to the CTA family, and were first discovered by Van der Bruggen et al 7. The MAGE family contain at least 55 family members, which have been divided into two sub‐families: MAGE‐I (MAGE‐A, MAGE‐B and MAGE‐C) and MAGE‐II (MAGE‐D) 7, 8.…”

“…Melanoma‐associated antigens (MAGE) belong to the CTA family, and were first discovered by Van der Bruggen et al 7. The MAGE family contain at least 55 family members, which have been divided into two sub‐families: MAGE‐I (MAGE‐A, MAGE‐B and MAGE‐C) and MAGE‐II (MAGE‐D) 7, 8. MAGE‐A antigens are strictly tumor‐specific, include 12 family members (MAGE‐A1–MAGE‐A12) and are expressed in various tumor tissues, including NSCLC,9, 10 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma,11 breast cancer,12 bladder carcinoma13 and glioma 14.…”