Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: minor histocompatibility antigens.
Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are key molecules in graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and the graft-versus-tumour effect after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT). Today, molecular typing methods allow an easy assessment of differences in minor H antigens between patient and donors, so that the GvHD risk in individual patients can be estimated. However, the large number of minor H antigens prevents matching for them to avoid GvHD. Interestingly, mismatching for minor H antigens might improve the outcome of allogeneic SCT. Some minor H antigens are expressed mainly by malignant cells and can therefore serve as excellent targets for cancer immunotherapy. Thus, mismatching for tumour-expressed minor H antigens allows boosting of the curative effect of allogeneic SCT. Current research is elucidating the impact of e.g. donor immunization, immunodominance, or functional expression of minor H antigens on the extent of the GvH response.
Hambach
Lothar
L
Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Post Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
Spierings
Eric
E
Goulmy
Els
E
D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020350:Graft vs Tumor Effect / Q000276:immunology*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens