WT1 peptide therapy for a patient with chemotherapy-resistant salivary gland cancer

Wilms' tumor (WT1) protein is one of the most promising target antigens for cancer immunotherapy. In fact, clinical responses, such as growth stabilization or shrinkage of tumor with immunological responses, have been reported in patients vaccinated with WT1 peptide. Here, we performed WT1 peptide-based immunotherapy for a patient with chemotherapy-resistant salivary gland cancer, whose histologic type was carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. The patient with its pulmonary metastasis, refractory to chemotherapy, was intradermally injected with 3 mg of WT1 peptide emulsified with Montanide ISA51 adjuvant at one-week intervals for 12 weeks. The considerably rapid growth of tumor was inhibited after WT1 vaccination, and stable disease, lasting three months, was achieved. Concomitantly, immunological responses, i.e. an increase in frequencies of WT1 tetramer(+) CD8(+)T cells and delayed type hypersensitivity response, were detected after the vaccination. These results indicate the potential of WT1 peptide-based immunotherapy for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant salivery gland cancer.