T-cell receptor peptide vaccination in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1998 Aug;24(3):641-50. doi: 10.1016/s0889-857x(05)70031-4.

Abstract

In several human T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases and animal models of such illnesses, T-cell receptors (TCR) specific for antigens that initiate or perpetuate the disease share a limited number of variable region determinants. Vaccinations with peptides derived from over-represented TCRs are effective treatment for some of these disorders. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease in which there is prominent T-cell infiltration in the synovial lining layer. TCR V beta 3, V beta 14, and V beta 17 have been found to be over-represented among IL-2 receptor-positive T-cells from patients with RA. A phase II clinical trial in RA, using a combination of three peptides derived from V beta 3, V beta 14, and V beta 17, has yielded promising results. Larger clinical efficacy and safety studies must be performed to determine if TCR peptide vaccination will become a viable treatment alternative for patients with RA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibody Formation
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Active*
  • Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / therapeutic use*
  • United States

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell