Molecular definition of tumor antigens recognized by T lymphocytes.
Several tumor antigens recognized by T cells have now been identified at the molecular level. Various mechanisms can account for their expression: activation of normally silent genes; point mutations; chromosome translocations; and post-translational modifications of proteins. This led to the notion that potential tumor-rejection antigens can be shared by a significant proportion of human tumors. This may have important implications in cancer immunotherapy, especially since tumors expressing a defined antigen can be identified on the basis of the expression of the relevant gene.
van der Bruggen
P
P
Ludwig Institute for Cancer research, Brussels, Belgium.
Van den Eynde
B
B
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm