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Accumulation of distinct T cell clonotypes in human solid tumors
K Yamamoto1, K Masuko, S Takahashi
1Division of Rheumatology and Molecular Immunology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|February 15, 1995
Summary
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) show distinct T cell clonotypes in patients without metastasis. In contrast, clonal T cell expansions appear in lymph nodes and peripheral blood in metastatic cancer patients, suggesting Ag-driven immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are present in various human solid tumors.
- The specific nature of TIL (nonspecific inflammation vs. specific immune response) remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether TIL represent a specific host immune response.
- To analyze T cell clonotypes in TIL, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain message clonotypes.
- Comparison of clonotypes in TIL, draining lymph nodes, and PBL from 10 patients with uterine or ovarian tumors.
Main Results:
- Distinct T cell clonotype accumulations were found in TIL only in patients without obvious metastasis.
- Clonally expanded T cells were also detected in lymph nodes and PBL of patients with metastatic cancer.
- The distribution of T cell clonotypes correlated with tumor invasion stage and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the existence of antigen-driven immune responses to solid tumors in vivo.
- TIL clonotype analysis can provide insights into the host's anti-tumor immunity.