Melanoma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Melanoma, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Circulating tumor antigen-specific regulatory T cells in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Vence L, Palucka AK, Fay JW, Ito T, Liu YJ, Banchereau J, Ueno H

Baylor Institute for Immunology Research and Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University, Dallas, TX 75204, USA.

Although it is accepted that regulatory T cells (T regs) contribute to cancer progression, most studies in the field consider nonantigen-specific suppression. Here, we show the presence of tumor antigen-specific CD4(+) T regs in the blood of patients with metastatic melanoma. These CD4(+) T regs recognize a broad range of tumor antigens, including gp100 and TRP1 (melanoma tissue differentiation antigens), NY-ESO-1 (cancer/testis antigen) and survivin (inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family antigen). These tumor antigen-specific T regs proliferate in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures in response to specific 15-mer peptides, produce preferentially IL-10 and express high levels of FoxP3. They suppress autologous CD4(+)CD25(-) T cell responses in a cell contact-dependent manner and thus share properties of both naturally occurring regulatory T cells and type 1 regulatory T cells. Such tumor antigen-specific T regs were not detected in healthy individuals. These tumor antigen-specific T regs might thus represent another target for immunotherapy of metastatic melanoma.

Published 31 December 2007 in Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 104(52): 20884-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Melanoma Research Today. All Rights Reserved.