Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
08:26
Saturated Fatty Acids Induce Ceramide-associated Macrophage Cell Death
Published on: October 31, 2017
9.7K
The anticancer peptide RT53 induces immunogenic cell death
Ewa Pasquereau-Kotula1, Justine Habault1,2, Guido Kroemer3,4,5,6,7,8,9
1INSERM UMRS1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Plos One
|August 7, 2018
Summary
RT53 peptide induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer cells, triggering an immune response. This peptide shows potential as a novel anticancer immunotherapy, preventing tumor growth and causing regression in established cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a promising anticancer therapy strategy.
- Few chemotherapeutics currently induce ICD.
- The peptide RT53 selectively kills cancer cells and shows potential in vaccination models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the peptide RT53 induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer cells.
- To evaluate RT53's potential as an anticancer immunotherapeutic agent.
Main Methods:
- Assessed hallmarks of ICD: calreticulin exposure, ATP release, and HMGB1 release.
- Evaluated RT53 in prophylactic mouse models using RT53-treated fibrosarcomas for vaccination.
- Administered RT53 intratumorally in established cancers to assess tumor regression and immune response.
Main Results:
- RT53 treatment induced key ICD markers: surface calreticulin, ATP release, and HMGB1 exodus.
- Vaccination with RT53-treated fibrosarcomas prevented tumor growth in a prophylactic model.
- Intratumoral RT53 injection caused tumor regression, T-cell infiltration, and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- RT53 induces bona fide immunogenic cell death in cancer cells.
- RT53 demonstrates significant potential as a novel antitumor and immunotherapeutic strategy.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
4.6K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.6K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
10.2K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
10.2K
02:43Peptide Bonds
83.2K
A peptide bond covalently attaches amino acids through a dehydration reaction. One amino acid's carboxyl group and another amino acid's amino group combine, releasing a water molecule. The resulting bond is the peptide bond. The products that such linkages form are peptides. As more amino acids join this growing chain, the resulting chain is a polypeptide. Each polypeptide has a free amino group at one end. This end has the N-terminal, or the amino-terminal, and the other end has a free...
83.2K
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
28.1K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.1K
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
5.6K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
Somatic...
5.6K
01:33Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
8.5K
Tandem mass spectrometry, also known as MS/MS or MS2, is an analytical technique that employs two mass analyzers. Essentially it is a series of mass spectrometers that helps isolate a particular biomolecule and then helps study its chemical properties.
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...
8.5K