Database of T cell-defined human tumor antigens: the 2013 update

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• The increasing number of identified tumor antigens necessitates a systematic approach for cancer immunotherapy.
• Identifying reliable tumor antigens is crucial for developing effective cancer vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update a curated peptide database of human tumor antigens for cancer immunotherapy.
• To provide a comprehensive resource for scientists and clinicians seeking cancer vaccine targets.

Main Methods:

• Systematic compilation of human antigenic peptides from scientific literature.
• Application of strict criteria to validate tumor antigen status.
• Inclusion of 29 new tumor antigens in the 2013 update.

Main Results:

• The updated database now contains 403 validated tumor antigenic peptides.
• Two newly identified peptides exhibit unique characteristics warranting further investigation.
• The database serves as a guide for selecting cancer vaccine candidates.

Conclusions:

• The curated database provides a valuable, systematized overview of tumor antigens for immunotherapy research.
• Regular updates ensure the resource remains relevant for advancing cancer vaccine development.