Expression of tumor-associated antigens in acute myeloid leukemia: Implications for specific immunotherapeutic approaches

Blood. 2006 Dec 15;108(13):4109-17. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-01-023127. Epub 2006 Aug 24.

Abstract

The expression of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) might play a critical role in the control of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and therefore might be associated with clinical outcome in AML. In a DNA microarray analysis of 116 AML samples, we found a significant correlation between high mRNA levels of G250/CA9 and longer overall survival (P = .022), a similar trend with high mRNA levels of PRAME (P = .103), and a hint for RHAMM/HMMR. In contrast, for other TAAs like WT1, TERT, PRTN3, BCL2, and LAMR1, we found no correlation with clinical outcome. High expression of at least 1 of the 3 TAAs, RHAMM/HMMR, PRAME, or G250/CA9, provided the strongest favorable prognostic effect (P = .005). Specific T-cell responses were detected in 8 (47%) of 17 patients with AML in complete remission for RHAMM/HMMR-R3 peptide, in 7 (70%) of 10 for PRAME-P3 peptide, and in 6 (60%) of 10 for newly characterized G250/CA9-G2 peptide, a significant increased immune response compared with patients with AML patients who had refractory disease (P < .001). Furthermore, we could demonstrate specific lysis of T2 cells presenting these epitope peptides. In conclusion, expression of the TAAs RHAMM/HMMR, PRAME, and G250/CA9 can induce strong antileukemic immune responses, possibly enabling MRD control. Thus, these TAAs represent interesting targets for polyvalent immunotherapeutic approaches in AML.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Epitopes / genetics*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic* / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic* / immunology
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • K562 Cells
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / immunology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy
  • Peptides / genetics*
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Epitopes
  • Peptides
  • RNA, Neoplasm