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p53-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in individuals with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

A P Black1, A Bailey, L Jones

  • 1MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.

The British Journal of Dermatology
|October 18, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found that individuals with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may have CD8+ T cells targeting the p53 tumor suppressor. This suggests p53 could be a target for SCC immunotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Systemic immunosuppression increases risk for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
  • The tumor suppressor p53 is frequently mutated and overexpressed in SCC lesions.
  • The role of immune response in SCC control is established, but tumor-associated antigens are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if individuals with cutaneous SCC possess functional circulating CD8+ T cells specific for p53.
  • To explore p53 as a potential tumor-associated antigen in SCC.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized interferon-gamma immunosorbent assays to screen peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
  • Assessed reactivity to six p53-derived HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes.
  • Included HLA-A*0201-positive patients with cutaneous SCC and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Significantly elevated frequencies of p53-specific CD8+ T cells were observed in 7 of 26 SCC patients.
  • One of 10 controls also showed elevated p53-specific CD8+ T cells.
  • Lymphocytic infiltrate in tumors correlated with p53-specific CD8+ T cell frequency, but not control epitopes.

Conclusions:

  • p53-specific CD8+ T cells are present in a subset of individuals with cutaneous SCC.
  • These findings suggest p53 may serve as a target for CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses in SCC.
  • Further research into p53 as an immunotherapy target for SCC is warranted.

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