HER2/neu-derived peptides recognized by both cellular and humoral immune systems in HLA-A2+ cancer patients

Int J Oncol. 2004 Apr;24(4):967-75.

Abstract

HER2/neu is one of the most appropriate target antigens for anti-cancer therapy because of its expression in various types of epithelial cancer. HER2/neu can also be a target for both cellular and humoral immune responses. In this study, we attempted to identify HER2/neu-derived peptides, which are able to be recognized by both humoral and cellular immune systems in HLA-A2+ cancer patients. Among 12 HER2/neu-derived peptides having the HLA-A2 binding motifs, immunoglobulin G reactive to each of 7 HER2/neu peptides was detected in the plasma of >50% of cancer patients. Among these 7 peptides, 3 including HER2/neu 444-452, HER2/neu 466-474, and HER2/neu 484-492, effectively induced peptide-specific and HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cancer patients, regardless of different HLA-A2 subtypes. Experiments using blocking antibodies and cold inhibition targets revealed that the cytotoxicity against HER2/neu-expressing HLA-A2+ tumor cells was peptide-specific and CD8+ T cell-dependent. Overall, these results indicate that these 3 HER2/neu-derived peptides are efficiently recognized by both the humoral and cellular immune systems, and therefore could be useful for peptide-based immunotherapy for HLA-A2+ patients with various types of epithelial cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibody Formation
  • Female
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Oligopeptides / immunology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / therapeutic use
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptor, ErbB-2