T cells targeted against a single minor histocompatibility antigen can cure solid tumors

MC Meunier, JS Delisle, J Bergeron, V Rineau… - Nature medicine, 2005 - nature.com
MC Meunier, JS Delisle, J Bergeron, V Rineau, C Baron, C Perreault
Nature medicine, 2005nature.com
T cells responsive to minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are extremely effective in curing
leukemia but it remains unknown whether they can eradicate solid tumors. We report that
injection of CD8+ T cells primed against the immunodominant H7a minor H antigen can cure
established melanomas in mice. Tumor rejection was initiated by preferential extravasation
at the tumor site of interferon (IFN)-γ–producing H7a-specific T cells. Intratumoral release of
IFN-γ had two crucial effects: inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and upregulation of major …
Abstract
T cells responsive to minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are extremely effective in curing leukemia but it remains unknown whether they can eradicate solid tumors. We report that injection of CD8+ T cells primed against the immunodominant H7a minor H antigen can cure established melanomas in mice. Tumor rejection was initiated by preferential extravasation at the tumor site of interferon (IFN)-γ–producing H7a-specific T cells. Intratumoral release of IFN-γ had two crucial effects: inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and upregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression on tumor cells. Despite ubiquitous expression of H7a, dissemination of a few H7a-specific T cells in extralymphoid organs caused neither graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) nor vitiligo because host nonhematopoietic cells were protected by their low expression of MHC class I. Our preclinical model yields unique insights into how minor H antigen–based immunotherapy could be used to treat human solid tumors.
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