title: Immunotherapy in Acute Leukemias: Implications and Perspectives Using Wt1 Antigen.
abstract: The WT1 gene encodes a transcription factor involved in regulation of many cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, mRNA processing and apoptosis, besides acting as a transcription repressor of growth factors and their receptors' genes. This gene is expressed at high levels in several types of cancers, including acute leukemias. In this regard, many studies have identified WT1 protein as a tumor antigen, considered a target molecule for clinical application in human acute leukemias. Immunotherapy using WT1 antigen has been effective in stimulating immune responses against leukemic cells. Regarding adoptive immunotherapy, the use of dendritic cells (DCs) for the WT1-specific cytotoxic T cells generation proved to be efficient in the development and maintenance of immunologic cells. Therefore, these therapeutic methods, that provided enthusiasm for moving ahead, highlight several opportunities and challenges to be used in clinical practice for managing acute leukemias.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Cesar Martelossi
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Cebinelli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Studies and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: DE Sousa Pereira
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michelle Mota
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sena
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Studies and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo Coral
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: DE Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Studies and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Cezar
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Paulo Dejato
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: DA Rocha
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Parasitology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: DE Abreu Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Poliana Camila
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Marinello
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Studies and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina-Paraná, Brazil maewatuel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Angelica Ehara
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D025721:WT1 Proteins
keywords: Adoptive immunotherapy; WT1 antigens; acute leukemias; review