Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
10:49

Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia

Published on: September 18, 2013

Aurora-A kinase: a novel target of cellular immunotherapy for leukemia

Toshiki Ochi1, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Koichiro Suemori

  • 1Department of Bioregulatory Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan.

Blood
|September 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a leukemia-specific epitope from Aurora-A kinase (Aur-A). This discovery supports Aur-A as a target for cellular immunotherapy in leukemia treatment, showing promise for patient treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Aurora-A kinase (Aur-A) is involved in cell division and tumorigenesis.
  • Aur-A is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, including leukemia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify a specific Aur-A epitope for generating leukemia-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs).
  • To evaluate the potential of Aur-A as a target for cellular immunotherapy in leukemia.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of an antigenic 9-amino-acid epitope (Aur-A(207-215)) from Aur-A.
  • Synthesis of the peptide and assessment of its binding to HLA-A*0201 and HLA-A*2402 molecules.
  • Evaluation of Aur-A expression in leukemia cells and normal cells.
  • Assay of Aur-A-specific CTL activity against leukemia and normal cells.
  • Tetramer assay to detect Aur-A epitope-specific CTL precursors.

Main Results:

  • The Aur-A(207-215) epitope binds to HLA-A*0201 and HLA-A*2402.
  • Leukemia cells, especially chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells, express high levels of Aur-A.
  • Aur-A-specific CTLs effectively lysed leukemia cell lines and primary leukemia cells, including CD34+ CML progenitors, without harming normal cells.
  • CTL precursors specific for the Aur-A(207-215) epitope were found in leukemia patients but not in healthy individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular immunotherapy targeting Aur-A is a promising strategy for leukemia treatment.
  • The Aur-A(207-215) epitope represents a potential target for developing novel leukemia immunotherapies.

More Related Videos

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells06:29

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells

Published on: July 30, 2020

Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants07:38

Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants

Published on: June 6, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor 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.
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...