In situ T cells in melanoma |
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Authors: | Per thor Straten Jürgen C Becker Per Guldberg Jesper Zeuthen |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Tumor Cell Biology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark, DK;(2) Department of Dermatology, Julius-Maximillians-University, Würzburg, Germany, DE |
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Abstract: | During the past decade new insights have been gained into the role of T lymphocytes in the host's immune response to cancer
in general and to melanoma in particular. Several melanoma-associated antigens (MAA) recognized by T cells have been characterized,
and a number of HLA class I- and class II-restricted peptides have been identified. These antigens can be divided into three
different groups: tumor-associated testis-specific antigens, melanocyte differentiation antigens, and mutated or aberrantly
expressed antigens. These proteins give rise to several antigenic peptides. The number of known melanoma-associated peptides
that can induce killing by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) exceeds 30 and is still increasing. In line with these findings,
clinical data indicate that the immune system is essential in the control of tumor growth. A brisk infiltration of lymphocytes
is associated with a favorable prognosis, and complete or partial regression of primary melanoma occurs quite frequently.
Furthermore, immunomodulatory therapies have accomplished complete or partial tumor regression in a number of patients. However,
the immune response is in most cases inadequate to control tumor growth as tumor progression often occurs. Hence, the coexistence
of a cellular immune response in melanoma lesions, demonstrated by the presence of clonally expanded T cells, remains a major
paradox of tumor immunology. In the present paper we review current knowledge regarding tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL)
in melanoma and discuss possible mechanisms of escape from immune surveillance.
Received: 20 March 1999 / Accepted: 3 March 1999 |
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Keywords: | Clonotypic T cells T-cell receptor variable regions Immune escape Anergy Senescence |
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