title: HLA-G proteins in cancer: do they provide tumor cells with an escape mechanism?
abstract: Convincing clinical evidence indicates that the limited success of T-cell-based immunotherapy of malignant diseases is caused, at least in part, by the ability of malignant cells to escape from immune recognition and destruction. Among the multiple escape mechanisms identified, a major role is played by changes in the expression and/or function of HLA antigens expressed by tumor cells, because they may markedly affect tumor cell-host's immune system interactions. In this article, we review the data about the aberrant expression of the nonclassical HLA class I antigen HLA-G by tumor cells. Furthermore, we discuss the possible reasons for the conflicting information in the literature about HLA-G antigen expression by malignant cells. Lastly, in light of the well-documented immunotolerant function of HLA-G, we discuss the potential role of these antigens in the escape of tumor cells from immune recognition and destruction and in the clinical course of malignant diseases.
authors.affiliation: Service de Recherche en Hémato-Immunologie, Direction des Sciences du Vivant, Département de Recherche Médicale, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rouas-Freiss
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Soldano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrone
authors.forename: Edgardo D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Carosella
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I