High-throughput discovery of cancer-targeting TCRs

Lukas Bunse1, Edward W Green2, Michael Platten1

  • 1German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany; University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Methods in Enzymology
|November 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

High-throughput T cell receptor (TCR) discovery aids in tracking cancer progression and monitoring immunotherapy. Future strategies will enhance understanding of TCRs and antigens for cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • T cell receptors (TCRs) are crucial for adaptive immunity and recognizing cancer antigens.
  • High-throughput sequencing technologies have revolutionized the study of TCR repertoires.
  • Understanding TCR-antigen interactions is key to advancing cancer immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and future experimental and computational methods for TCR and antigen discovery.
  • To highlight the significance of TCR repertoire analysis in cancer immunotherapy.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of engineered TCRs in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • High-throughput sequencing for TCR repertoire analysis.
  • Bioinformatic algorithms for TCR-antigen prediction.
  • In vitro and in vivo models for TCR functional validation.

Main Results:

  • High-throughput TCR discovery enables longitudinal monitoring of tumor disease.
  • TCR repertoire alterations can be tracked during immunotherapy.
  • Engineered TCRs show promise for therapeutic applications in cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced TCR discovery and analysis are essential for personalized cancer immunotherapy.
  • Integrating experimental and computational approaches will accelerate the development of TCR-based therapies.
  • Future research should focus on dissecting TCR-antigen interactions for improved cancer treatment outcomes.