Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Experimental Metastasis Assay
Published on: August 24, 2010
Identical T-cell receptor transcripts in multiple melanoma metastases
David Schrama1, Eva Fuchs, Eva-Bettina Bröcker
1Department of Dermatology, Julius Maximilians-University, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Immune therapy for melanoma largely relies on preexisting T-cell responses. However, recent reports demonstrated the localized nature of such responses. Thus, we characterized the effect of immune therapy on the distribution of clonotypic T cells. To this end, we analyzed the T-cell receptor repertoire of multiple metastases of differentially treated melanoma patients revealing oligoclonal T-cell responses and the occurrence of identical T-cell clones in several metastases. However, these findings were not limited to immune therapy but were also observed after chemotherapy, suggesting its similar impact on the distribution of T cells.
Insights
Immune therapy for melanoma impacts T-cell distribution. Identical T-cell clones were found across multiple metastases after both immune therapy and chemotherapy, suggesting similar effects on T-cell responses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Melanoma treatment often depends on T-cell responses.
- Recent studies indicate these T-cell responses are localized.
- Understanding T-cell distribution is crucial for effective immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how immune therapy affects the distribution of clonotypic T cells in melanoma.
- To compare T-cell distribution patterns after immune therapy versus chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the T-cell receptor repertoire.
- Examination of multiple metastases from melanoma patients undergoing different treatments.
Main Results:
- Identified oligoclonal T-cell responses in melanoma metastases.
- Observed the presence of identical T-cell clones across several metastases.
- Found similar distribution patterns in both immune therapy and chemotherapy groups.
Conclusions:
- Melanoma treatments, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy, can influence the distribution of T cells.
- The findings suggest that chemotherapy may have a comparable impact on T-cell distribution to immunotherapy.
