Recognition of transformed cells by autologous lymphocytes: a review

The studies on the T cell response against EBV carrying B cells demonstrated its high power in vivo. Malignancies with phenotypes similar to the in vitro transformed B cells occur only in severely immunosuppressed patients. Presently the goal of the studies is the identification of the antigens recognised by T lymphocytes and their association with the various HLA alleles. The studies on human sarcomas and carcinomas still struggle with the demonstration of specific T cell responses and the characterisation of the target molecules on the tumor cells. The main goals are the possibilities to readminister tumor reactive T cells for therapeutic purposes and the use of in vitro assays for guidance of the design and schedule for immunotherapy protocols.