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Tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes and melanoma tumorigenesis: an insight
Author(s) -
Hussein M.R.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06629.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , cytotoxic t cell , cd8 , monoclonal antibody , tumor infiltrating lymphocytes , immunology , cancer research , antigen , cd3 , biology , carcinogenesis , t cell , human leukocyte antigen , immunotherapy , stroma , epidermis (zoology) , cancer , in vitro , antibody , immunohistochemistry , immune system , biochemistry , genetics , anatomy
Summary The presence of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) amid the tumour cells in the stroma and overlying epidermis is a constant feature of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. These lymphocytes are mostly cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) that can be propagated in vitro by specific cytokines. Also, they can kill melanoma cells. This specific killing can be abrogated by monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD8, T‐cell receptors (TCRs) and against class I human leucocyte antigens (HLAs). This indicates that these CTLs can recognize the melanoma cells through the TCRs, in an HLA class I‐restricted manner. Therefore, these cells and their products both are critical players in T cell‐induced melanoma regression and are powerful predictors of survival. This review seeks to examine the characteristics, activation and role of TILs and their associated molecules in melanomas.