Alpha-fetoprotein and other tumour-associated antigens for immunotherapy of hepatocellular cancer.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death, with few treatment options for advanced disease.


OBJECTIVE
Here, we review the aetiology of HCC and focus on recent data on tumour-associated antigens (TAA) for HCC, their functions and potential use as immunological targets for immune-based therapy for HCC. In addition, we examine some aspects of antigen presentation within the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) has been investigated for many years as a TAA, and has been tested in recent clinical trials. More recently, additional TAA have been identified and new therapeutic approaches have been investigated which may be testable clinically in this difficult disease setting.
Evdokimova
Viktoria N
VN
University of Pittsburgh, Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Research Pavilion, Room 1.32, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Butterfield
Lisa H
LH
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins