Tumour antigens recognized by T lymphocytes: at the core of cancer immunotherapy.
In this Timeline, we describe the characteristics of tumour antigens that are recognized by spontaneous T cell responses in cancer patients and the paths that led to their identification. We explain on what genetic basis most, but not all, of these antigens are tumour specific: that is, present on tumour cells but not on normal cells. We also discuss how strategies that target these tumour-specific antigens can lead either to tumour-specific or to crossreactive T cell responses, which is an issue that has important safety implications in immunotherapy. These safety issues are even more of a concern for strategies targeting antigens that are not known to induce spontaneous T cell responses in patients.
1] de Duve Institute and the Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. [2] WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology), B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Pierre G
PG
Coulie
1] de Duve Institute and the Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. [2] Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. [3] WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology), B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Benoît J
BJ
Van den Eynde
1] de Duve Institute and the Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. [2] Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. [3] WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology), B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Pierre
P
van der Bruggen
1] de Duve Institute and the Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. [2] Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Thierry
T
Boon
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm