Immunotherapeutic targeting of Wilms' tumor protein

Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2007 Feb;9(1):62-9.

Abstract

The expression of Wilms' tumor protein (WT1)-derived peptides on malignant cell surfaces and recognition of those peptides by cellular and humoral immune responses suggest that WT1 may be a promising potential target antigen in immunotherapeutic trials. With a high frequency of expression in hematopoietic as well as solid tumors, WT1 is a broadly applicable target. Both in vivo mouse model and in vitro human studies have demonstrated the ability of WT1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to lyse WT1-expressing malignancies without harming normal tissue. WT1-peptide vaccination, in combination with adjuvants, has demonstrated the ability to activate WT1-specific immune responses and evidence of clinical activity. Because peptide-based vaccines are human leukocyte antigen-restricted, other more broadly applicable strategies are now being developed to activate WT1-specific immune responses, including the use of WT1-specific viral vectors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • WT1 Proteins / genetics
  • WT1 Proteins / metabolism*
  • Wilms Tumor / genetics
  • Wilms Tumor / immunology*
  • Wilms Tumor / therapy*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • WT1 Proteins