The shared tumor-associated antigen cytochrome P450 1B1 is recognized by specific cytotoxic T cells

Blood. 2003 Nov 1;102(9):3287-94. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-05-1374. Epub 2003 Jul 17.

Abstract

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1), a drug-metabolizing extrahepatic enzyme, was recently shown to be overexpressed in multiple types of cancer. Such tumor-associated genes may be useful targets for anticancer therapy, particularly cancer immunotherapeutics. We identified HLA-A*0201-binding peptides and a naturally processed and presented T-cell epitope capable of inducing CYP1B1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Furthermore, the induction of CYP1B1-specific T cells was demonstrated in healthy donors and cancer patients. These T cells efficiently lysed target cells pulsed with the cognate peptide. More important, HLA-A2-matched tumor cell lines and primary malignant cells were also recognized by CYP1B1-specific CTLs. These findings form the basis of a phase 1 clinical trial exploring a DNA-based vector encoding CYP1B1 for widely applicable cancer immunotherapy conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / immunology*
  • Blood Cells
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1B1
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / genetics
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasms / blood
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peptides / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-A*02:01 antigen
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Peptides
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • CYP1B1 protein, human
  • Cyp1b1 protein, mouse
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1B1