title: MUC1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in cancer therapy: induction and challenge.
abstract: MUC1 glycoprotein is often found overexpressed and hypoglycosylated in tumor cells from numerous cancer types. Since its discovery MUC1 has been an attractive target for antitumor immunotherapy. Indeed, in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown T-cell-specific responses against MUC1 in an HLA-restricted and HLA-unrestricted manner, although some animal models have highlighted the possible development of tolerogenic responses against this antigen. These observations permit the development of new T-cell vaccine strategies capable of inducing an MUC1-specific cytotoxic T cell response in cancer patients. Some of these strategies are now being tested in clinical trials against different types of cancer. To date, encouraging clinical responses have been observed with some MUC1 vaccines in phase II/III clinical trials. This paper compiles knowledge regarding MUC1 as a promising tumor antigen for antitumor therapeutic vaccines applicable to numerous cancers. We also summarize the results of MUC1-vaccine-based clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: UMR892, INSERM, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique, Université de Nantes, 8 quai Moncousu, BP70721, 44007 Nantes Cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roulois
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grégoire
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fonteneau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D006680:HLA Antigens; D018396:Mucin-1