Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
Drug Classes and Categories
Antibody Structure and Classes
The basic structure of an antibody consists of four protein chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. These chains are held together by disulfide bonds and other non-covalent interactions, forming a Y-shaped structure.
Antihypertensive Drugs: Thiazide-Class Diuretics
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Perioperative chemoimmunotherapy induces strong immune responses and long-term survival in patients with HLA class I-deficient non-small cell lung cancer.
The Challenges of HLA Class I Loss in Cancer Immunotherapy: Facts and Hopes.
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples
Published on: March 14, 2014
HLA Class-I Expression and Cancer Immunotherapy.
1Departamento de Analisis Clinicos e Inmunologia, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.
Tumor cells with irreversible HLA class I loss evade cancer immunotherapy. Reversible HLA class I alterations offer potential therapeutic targets for boosting anti-tumor T lymphocyte responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy effectiveness varies, with some metastatic lesions progressing despite treatment.
- Tumor cells can alter Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I expression to evade immune detection.
- T lymphocytes are crucial for tumor rejection, but their responses need optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of HLA class I loss on cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
- To explore the mechanisms behind differential responses of metastatic lesions to immunotherapy.
- To investigate how to enhance T lymphocyte-mediated anti-tumor responses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)/HLA class I alterations in tumors.
- Categorization of HLA lesions as 'reversible/soft' or 'irreversible/hard'.
- Integration of these concepts within the context of immune checkpoint antibody therapies.
Main Results:
- Tumor cells with irreversible HLA class I lesions are likely to escape immune surveillance and lead to disease progression.
- Tumor cells with reversible HLA class I lesions may regain expression, making them susceptible to immune destruction.
- The ability to reverse HLA class I expression is critical for successful immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- HLA class I alterations are key determinants of immunotherapy success or failure.
- Distinguishing between reversible and irreversible HLA lesions is vital for predicting treatment outcomes.
- Future research should focus on overcoming irreversible HLA class I loss to improve cancer immunotherapy efficacy.

