Unique tumor antigens redefined as mutant tumor-specific antigens.
The extraordinary specificity of immune responses mediated by T cells against individual syngeneic tumors has led to the concept that many tumor antigens are 'unique'. The recent isolation of several T-cell-recognized unique antigens from various murine and human tumors has shown that the antigenic peptides are caused by somatic mutations and, thus, are truly tumor-specific. The following review summarizes current knowledge about these mutant tumor-specific antigens and their possible role in the development and progression of cancer. It also discusses some functional differences between mutant tumor-specific and shared tumor antigens, which generally represent unaltered peptides, also present on some normal cells.
Mumberg
D
D
Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Wick
M
M
Schreiber
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm