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

Sørensen RB, Hadrup SR, Køllgaard T, Svane IM, thor Straten P, Andersen MH

Tumor Immunology Group, Institute of Cancer Biology, Danish Cancer Society, 2100 Strandboulevarden 49, Copenhagen, Denmark.

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.

Published 2 February 2007 in Cancer Immunol Immunother, 56(4): 527-33.
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