Tools to define the melanoma‐associated immunopeptidome

Abstract

SummaryImmunotherapies have been traditionally applied in malignant melanoma, which represent one of the most immunogenic tumours. Recently, immune checkpoint modulation has shown high therapeutic efficacy and may provide long-term survival in a significant proportion of affected patients. T cells are the major players in tumour rejection and recognize tumour cells predominantly in an MHC-dependent way. The immunopeptidome comprises the peptide repertoire presented by MHC class I and II molecules on the surface of the body's cells including tumour cells. To understand characteristics of suitable rejection antigens as well as respective effective T-cell responses, determination of the immunopeptidome is of utmost importance. Suitable rejection antigens need to be further characterized and validated not only to systematically improve current therapeutic approaches, but also to develop individualized treatment options. In this review, we report on current tools to explore the immunopeptidome in human melanoma and discuss current understanding and future developments to specifically detect and select those antigens that may be most relevant and promising for effective tumour rejection.

New tools for MHC research from machine learning and predictive algorithms to the tumour immunopeptidome

“…Two recent papers have focused specifically on this renaissance of defining peptide presentation in complex antigenic environments by MHC elution and then mass spectrometry: the notion of defining an 'immunopeptidome'. 9,10 This has recently become a key resource for tumour immunology and the definition of targeted tumour antigens. A recent review article highlighted the progress made in the sphere of melanoma immunology through partnering direct analysis of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, MHC predictive algorithms and the MHCbound, mass-spectrometry-determined melanoma immunopeptidome.…”

“…A recent review article highlighted the progress made in the sphere of melanoma immunology through partnering direct analysis of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, MHC predictive algorithms and the MHCbound, mass-spectrometry-determined melanoma immunopeptidome. 9 From the University of Tubingen, arguably the birthplace of immunopeptidome research, now comes a major, comprehensive review on state-ofthe-art use of mass spectrometry to characterize tumour immunopeptidomes. 10 For anyone seeking new insights into tumour immunology and new prospects for immunotherapy, Freudenmann et al offer a masterclass that crosses different tumour types, peptide elutions and bioinformatics strategies.…”

“…Two recent papers have focused specifically on this renaissance of defining peptide presentation in complex antigenic environments by MHC elution and then mass spectrometry: the notion of defining an ‘immunopeptidome’ . This has recently become a key resource for tumour immunology and the definition of targeted tumour antigens.…”

“…This has recently become a key resource for tumour immunology and the definition of targeted tumour antigens. A recent review article highlighted the progress made in the sphere of melanoma immunology through partnering direct analysis of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes, MHC predictive algorithms and the MHC‐bound, mass‐spectrometry‐determined melanoma immunopeptidome . From the University of Tubingen, arguably the birthplace of immunopeptidome research, now comes a major, comprehensive review on state‐of‐the‐art use of mass spectrometry to characterize tumour immunopeptidomes .…”

A universal anti‐cancer vaccine: Chimeric invariant chain potentiates the inhibition of melanoma progression and the improvement of survival

“…5 Spontaneous anti-melanoma immune responses could be directed against melanocyte differentiation antigens (e.g., gp100, tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase related proteins (TRP-1) and TRP-2). 6 Thus, several therapeutic strategies, aiming at enhancing the cellular anti-tumor immunity against these specific melanoma-associated antigens (MAAs) were developed. One such strategy uses autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with MAAs.…”