Efficient tumor cell lysis mediated by a Bcl-X(L) specific T cell clone isolated from a breast cancer patient

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2007 Apr;56(4):527-33. doi: 10.1007/s00262-006-0200-4. Epub 2006 Jul 19.

Abstract

Based on the detection of spontaneous immune responses in cancer patients with cancer of different origin, Bcl-X(L) was recently described as a highly interesting tumor antigen recognized by CD8 positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes. To further characterize Bcl-X(L) as a tumor antigen we isolated and expanded Bcl-X(L) specific T cells from the peripheral blood of a breast cancer patient hosting a strong Bcl-X(L) specific T cell response. We describe that HLA-A2 restricted Bcl-X(L) specific T cell clones very efficiently lyse peptide pulsed T2 cells. Furthermore, tumor cell lines of different origin, i.e., breast cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma, are efficiently lysed in an HLA-dependent manner. Finally, ex vivo-isolated leukemia cells, but not non-malignant B and T cells are killed by Bcl-X(L) specific T cells. Our data underline Bcl-X(L) as an universal tumor antigen widely applicable in specific anticancer immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Clone Cells
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism
  • bcl-X Protein / immunology*
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • bcl-X Protein