Open AccessDefective HLA class I antigen processing machinery in cancer
Author(s) -
Lei Cai,
Theodoros Michelakos,
Teppei Yamada,
ST Fan,
Xinhui Wang,
Joseph H. Schwab,
Cristina R. Ferrone
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer immunology, immunotherapy/cancer immunology and immunotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.389
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1432-0851
pISSN - 0340-7004
DOI - 10.1007/s00262-018-2131-2
Subject(s) - human leukocyte antigen , cancer , malignant transformation , cancer immunotherapy , immunotherapy , immunology , clinical significance , cancer research , thyroid cancer , antigen , immune system , biology , medicine , pathology
Malignant transformation of cells is frequently associated with defective HLA class I antigen processing machinery (APM) component expression. This abnormality may have functional relevance, since it may have a negative impact on tumor cell recognition by cognate T cells. Furthermore, HLA class I APM abnormalities appear to have clinical significance, since they are associated with poor prognosis in several malignant diseases and may play a role in the resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy. In this paper, we have reviewed the literature describing abnormalities in HLA class I APM component expression in many types of cancer. These abnormalities have been reported in all types of cancer analyzed with a frequency ranging between a minimum of 35.8% in renal cancer and a maximum of 87.9% in thyroid cancer for HLA class I heavy chains. In addition, we have described the molecular mechanisms underlying defects in HLA class I APM component expression and function by malignant cells. Lastly, we have discussed the clinical significance of HLA class I APM component abnormalities in malignant tumors.