Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
07:00
Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester
Published on: June 4, 2019
Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4
1Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. stephen_hodi@dfci.harvard.edu
Summary
Immune therapies targeting the costimulatory molecule CTL-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) show promise for cancer treatment. Blocking CTLA-4 signaling can lead to antitumor activity but may also cause autoimmune toxicities.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cancer immune therapies historically focused on vaccines and cytokines with limited success.
- Advances in understanding costimulatory molecules have renewed interest in cancer immunotherapy.
- Costimulatory molecules regulate both lymphocyte activation and immune inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of costimulatory molecules, particularly CTLA-4, in cancer immunotherapy.
- To discuss the mechanisms of CTLA-4 mediated T-cell inhibition.
- To highlight clinical trial outcomes and future directions for CTLA-4 blockade and other costimulatory pathway manipulations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on costimulatory molecules and their role in cancer immunity.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for CTLA-4 blockade therapies.
- Discussion of the mechanisms of T-cell regulation by CTLA-4.
Main Results:
- CTL-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a key costimulatory molecule with significant clinical translation.
- CTLA-4 blockade using monoclonal antibodies has demonstrated antitumor activity in various cancers, notably metastatic melanoma.
- Observed outcomes include significant antitumor responses alongside potential autoimmune-related toxicities.
Conclusions:
- CTLA-4 blockade represents a promising new era in cancer immunotherapy.
- Further clinical investigation of CTLA-4 blockade and other costimulatory pathways is warranted.
- Understanding costimulatory pathways is crucial for improving immune therapies for cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.