Immunity to tumour antigens.
During the last decade, a large number of human tumour antigens have been identified. These antigens are classified as tumour-specific shared antigens, tissue-specific differentiation antigens, overexpressed antigens, tumour antigens resulting from mutations, viral antigens and fusion proteins. Antigens recognised by effectors of immune system are potential targets for antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy. However, most tumour antigens are self-proteins and are generally of low immunogenicity and the immune response elicited towards these tumour antigens is not always effective. Strategies to induce and enhance the tumour antigen-specific response are needed. This review will summarise the approaches to discovery of tumour antigens, the current status of tumour antigens, and their potential application to cancer treatment.
Li
Geng
G
School of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
Ali
Selman A
SA
McArdle
Stephanie E B
SE
Mian
Shahid
S
Ahmad
Murrium
M
Miles
Amanda
A
Rees
Robert C
RC
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm