Comparative study on the immunogenicity between an HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope derived from survivin and that from its splice variant survivin-2B in oral cancer patients

• Main Authors: Yamaguchi Akira, Miyazaki Akihiro, Idenoue Satomi, Hirohashi Yoshihiko, Torigoe Toshihiko, Kobayashi Jun-ichi, Hiratsuka Hiroyoshi, Sato Noriyuki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-01-01
• Series: Journal of Translational Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/7/1/1

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We previously reported an HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope, Survivin-2B80-88, derived from a splice variant of survivin, survivin-2B. In this report, we show a novel HLA-A24-restricted T-cell epitope, Survivin-C58, derived from a wild type survivin, and compared their immunogenicity in oral cancer patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>By stimulating peripheral blood lymphocytes of HLA-A24-positive cancer patients with Survivin-C58 peptide <it>in vitro</it>, the peptide-specific CTLs were induced. In order to compare the immunogenic potential between C58 peptide and 2B80-88 peptide, peripheral blood T-cells from thirteen HLA-A24-positive oral cancer patients were stimulated with either or both of these two peptides.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Survivin-2B80-88 peptide-specific CTLs were induced from four patients, and C58 peptide-specific CTLs were induced from three out of eight patients with over stage II progression. The CTLs exerted cytotoxicity against HLA-A24-positive tumor cells. In contrast, CTL induction failed from a healthy volunteer and all four patients with cancer stage I.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It was indicated that a splicing variant-derived peptide and wild type survivin-derived peptide might have a comparable potency of CTL induction, and survivin targeting immunotherapy using survivin-2B80-88 and C58 peptide cocktail should be suitable for HLA-A24+ oral cancer patients.</p>