Identification of novel survivin-derived CTL epitopes

Cancer Biol Ther. 2004 Feb;3(2):173-9. doi: 10.4161/cbt.3.2.611. Epub 2004 Feb 1.

Abstract

The identification of tumor antigens, which are essential for the survival of tumor cells is a new avenue to prevent antigen loss variants emerging due to immunoselection, particularly during immune therapy. In the search for such immunogenic tumor antigens, we recently identified spontaneous cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) responses against the inhibitor of apoptosis protein survivin. Thus, we identified two HLA-A2-restricted, survivin-derived CTL epitopes, which both were targets for spontaneous CTL responses in melanoma, breast cancer, and CLL. Here, we extend these data and describe the characterization of novel HLA-A1-, HLA-A2-, HLA-A3-, and HLA-A11-restricted survivin epitopes on the basis of spontaneous CTL responses in cancer patients. These epitopes significantly increase the number of patients eligible for immunotherapy based on survivin derived peptides. Additionally, the collective targeting of several restriction elements is likely to decrease the risk of immune escape by HLA-allele loss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HLA-A Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-A1 Antigen / immunology
  • HLA-A11 Antigen
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology
  • HLA-A3 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / immunology*
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / immunology*
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Survivin
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-A1 Antigen
  • HLA-A11 Antigen
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • HLA-A3 Antigen
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Survivin