Induction of human leukocyte antigen-A26-restricted and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by a single peptide of the SART1 antigen in patients with cancer with different A26 subtypes.

ABSTRACT

Peptide antigens available for use in specific immunotherapy of patients with cancer have not been fully determined. Although the authors have reported the SART1 gene encoding epitopes recognized by HLA-A2601-restricted and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), the HLA-A26 allele is mainly subdivided into A2601, A2602, and A2603 subtypes. In this study, the authors attempted to determine whether the SART1-derived peptide at position 736-744 (KGSGKMKTE) is suitable to induce HLA-A26-restricted and tumor-specific CTLs in patients with cancer who have these subtypes. This peptide induced the HLA-A26 subtype-restricted and tumor-specific CTLs in HLA-A2601+ or HLA-A2603+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells, respectively. It also induced the HLA-A26-restricted CTL activity in HLA-A2602+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Therefore, this peptide could be useful for specific immunotherapy of patients with cancer who have any of the three HLA-A26 subtypes.