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Published on: November 28, 2019
Activation or frustration of anti-tumor responses by T-cell-based immune modulation
R E Toes1, S P Schoenberger, E I van der Voort
1Department of Immunohematology and Blood Bank, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Many types of tumors (e.g. virus-induced tumors, melanomas, tumors over-expressing certain oncogenes) often express antigens that can induce T-cell-mediated tumor-specific immune responses. Nonetheless, many such tumors manage to circumvent the induction of an effective anti-tumor T-cell response, as is apparent from the many tumor-bearing patients. Therefore, optimally designed vaccination protocols may evoke a more powerful and competent T-cell-mediated anti-tumor response, allowing the host to effectively deal with at least some cancers. These vaccination approaches might include immunization with whole (tumor) cell-based vaccines, entire tumor antigens or selected T-cell epitopes derived from tumor antigens. This survey is an update of several anti-tumor vaccination approaches employed, and on novel possibilities to target the anti-tumor immune response to preselected tumor-derived T-cell epitopes.
Insights
Optimally designed cancer vaccines can enhance T-cell responses against tumors. This review updates anti-tumor vaccination strategies, including targeting tumor-derived T-cell epitopes for effective cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Tumors express antigens that can trigger T-cell responses.
- Many tumors evade effective T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.
- Developing robust anti-tumor immunity is crucial for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on anti-tumor vaccination approaches.
- To explore novel strategies for targeting T-cell responses to tumor antigens.
- To enhance the host's ability to combat cancer through vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Review of current anti-tumor vaccination strategies.
- Analysis of T-cell epitope-based vaccine development.
- Discussion of methods to target T-cell responses to specific tumor antigens.
Main Results:
- Various vaccination methods, including whole cell, whole antigen, and epitope-based vaccines, are employed.
- Challenges remain in overcoming tumor-induced immune evasion.
- Targeting specific T-cell epitopes offers a promising avenue for improved vaccine design.
Conclusions:
- Optimized vaccination protocols can significantly enhance T-cell-mediated anti-tumor responses.
- Novel approaches focus on precise targeting of tumor-derived T-cell epitopes.
- Effective vaccination strategies hold potential for treating various cancers.
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