| First Author | Shafer-Weaver K | Year | 2007 |
| Journal | Adv Exp Med Biol | Volume | 601 |
| Pages | 357-68 | PubMed ID | 17713024 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:128615 | Mgi Id | MGI:3767547 |
| Doi | 10.1007/978-0-387-72005-0_38 | Citation | Shafer-Weaver K, et al. (2007) T cell tolerance to tumors and cancer immunotherapy. Adv Exp Med Biol 601:357-68 |
| abstractText | It is widely recognized that the immune system plays a role in cancer progression and that some tumors are inherently immunogenic. The identification of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) has stimulated research focused on immunotherapies to mediate the regression of established tumors. Cancer-specific immunity has traditionally been aimed at activating CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) directed against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-binding peptide epitopes. Other approaches utilize T cell adoptive therapy where autologous, tumor-specific T cells propagated in vitro are transferred back into recipients. However, these strategies have met with limited success in part due to the regulatory mechanisms of T cell tolerance, which poses a considerable challenge to cancer immunotherapy. Our laboratory utilizes the TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model, a murine model of prostate cancer, to study mechanisms of T cell tolerization to tumor antigens. We previously demonstrated that upon encounter with their cognate antigen in the tumor microenvironment, naive T cell become tolerized. Our ongoing studies are testing whether provision of CD4+ T cells can enhance tumor immunity by preventing CD8+ T cell tolerance. A greater understanding of the interaction between various tumor-specific T cell subsets will facilitate the design of novel approaches to stimulate a more potent antitumor immune response. |
