T-cell therapy of leukemia.
BACKGROUND
The demonstration that immune-mediated elimination of leukemia contributes to the success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has renewed interest in the development of immune-based therapies that might be used to augment the antileukemic effect of HSCT or in patients who are not receiving HSCT.


METHODS
The authors reviewed studies that have analyzed the mechanisms that may be operative in T-cell recognition of leukemia after allogeneic HSCT, identified candidate target antigens for immunotherapy of leukemia in transplant and nontransplant patients, and evaluated expression of candidate antigens on leukemic progenitors.


RESULTS
A large number of potential targets for T-cell therapy or vaccination have now been identified in human leukemia. Studies to evaluate novel immune-based therapies are now being initiated.


CONCLUSIONS
The rapid pace of progress in cellular and molecular immunology has identified new opportunities for developing T-cell therapy or vaccination for leukemia. Obstacles must be addressed before these approaches can be applied broadly, but the promising results of preclinical studies suggest continued efforts in this area will result in the establishment of immunotherapy as a useful modality in clinical practice.
Riddell
Stanley R
SR
Immunology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA 98109, USA. sriddell@fhcrc.org
Murata
Makoto
M
Bryant
Sophia
S
Warren
Edis H
EH
D000818:Animals; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D020544:Graft vs Leukemia Effect / Q000276:immunology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens