Open AccessIdentification of an epitope derived from CML66, a novel tumor‐associated antigen expressed broadly in human leukemia, recognized by human leukocyte antigen‐A*2402‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Author(s) -
Suemori Koichiro,
Fujiwara Hiroshi,
Ochi Toshiki,
Azuma Taichi,
Yamanouchi Jun,
Narumi Hiroshi,
Yakushijin Yoshihiro,
Hato Takaaki,
Hasegawa Hitoshi,
Yasukawa Masaki
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2008.00823.x
Subject(s) - ctl* , epitope , leukemia , cytotoxic t cell , k562 cells , antigen , immunology , human leukocyte antigen , myeloid leukemia , biology , cancer immunotherapy , chronic myelogenous leukemia , immunotherapy , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , cd8 , in vitro , biochemistry
CML66 is a newly identified differentiation antigen that is expressed broadly in human leukemia and solid tumors, but its physiological function remains unknown. In the present study, to clarify the feasibility of CML66‐targeted cancer immunotherapy, we attempted to identify cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes derived from CML66. An immunogenic CML66‐derived epitope (amino acid residues 76–84; YYIDTLGRI) capable of inducing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*2402‐restricted CTL specific for this peptide was identified. CML66‐derived peptide‐specific CTL efficiently lysed human leukemia cells, but not normal cells, in a HLA‐A*2402‐restricted fashion. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that CML66 mRNA is expressed abundantly in primary acute myeloid leukemia cells, acute lymphoid leukemia cells, and chronic myelogenous leukemia cells in advanced phase, and that the expression level of CML66 mRNA in normal cells is low compared with that in leukemia cells. CML66‐specific CTL precursors were detected in the peripheral blood of patients with acute leukemia. These data indicate that the CML66‐derived epitope identified in the present study is a new target antigen for cellular immunotherapy of human leukemia. ( Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1414–1419)