Risk factors and outcomes of conversion in minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The reported conversion rates for minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) range widely from 2 to 38%. The identification of risk factors for conversion may help surgeons during preoperative planning and patient counseling. Moreover, the impact of conversion on outcomes of MIDP is unknown. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted as part of the 2019 Miami International Evidence-Based Guidelines on Minimally Invasive Pancreas Resection (IG-MIPR). The PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for studies concerning conversion to open surgery in MIDP. RESULTS: Of the 828 studies screened, eight met the eligibility criteria, resulting in a combined dataset including 2592 patients after MIDP. The overall conversion rate was 17.1% (range 13.0-32.7%) with heterogeneity between studies associated with the definition of conversion adopted. Only one study divided conversion into elective and emergency conversion. The main indications for conversion were vascular involvement (23.7%), concern for oncological radicality (21.9%), and bleeding (18.9%). The reported risk factors for conversion included a malignancy as an indication for surgery, the proximity of the tumor to vascular structures in preoperative imaging, higher BMI or visceral fat, and multi-organ resection or extended resection. Contrasting results were seen in terms of blood loss and length of stay in comparing converted MIDP and completed MIDP patients. CONCLUSION: The identified risk factors for conversion from this study can be used for patient selection and counseling. Surgeon experience should be considered when contemplating MIDP for a complex patient. Future studies should divide conversion into elective and emergency conversion.

Histological and Molecular Subclassification of Pancreatic and Nonpancreatic Periampullary Cancers: Implications for (Neo) Adjuvant Systemic Treatment.

The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been confirmed in randomized controlled trials. For nonpancreatic periampullary cancers (NPPC) originating from the distal bile duct, duodenum, ampulla, or papilla of Vater, the role of adjuvant therapy remains largely unclear. This review describes methods for distinguishing PDAC from NPPC by means of readily available and recently developed molecular diagnostic methods. The difficulties of reliably determining the exact origin of these cancers pathologically also is discussed. The review also considers the possibility of unintentional inclusion of NPPC in the most important adjuvant trials on PDAC and the subsequent implications for interpretation of the results. The authors conclude that correct determination of the origin of periampullary cancers is essential for clinical management and should therefore be systematically incorporated into clinical practice and future studies.

Pancreatic Head Resection Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Operative Considerations and Outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify optimal management decisions for surgeons preforming pancreatic head resection on patients with altered anatomy due to a previous Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: A multi-national (4), multi-center (28) collaborative of 55 pancreatic surgeons who have performed pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy following RYGB for obesity (2005-2018) was created. Demographics, operative details, and perioperative outcomes from this cohort were analyzed and compared in a propensity-score matched analysis with a multi-center cohort of 5533 pancreatoduodenectomies without prior RYGB. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients with a previous RYGB undergoing pancreatic head resection were assembled. Pathologic indications between the RYGB and normal anatomy cohorts did not differ. Propensity score matching of RYGB vs. patients with unaltered anatomy demonstrated no differences in major postoperative outcomes. In total 20 distinct reconstructions were employed (of 37 potential options); the three most frequent reconstructions accounted for 52.1%, and none demonstrated superior outcomes. There were no differences in outcomes observed between original biliopancreatic limb use (66.7%) and those where a secondary Roux limb was created for biliopancreatic reconstruction. Remnant stomachs were removed in 54.7% of cases, with no outcome differences between resected and retained stomachs. Venting gastrostomy tubes were used in 36.2% of retained stomachs without obvious outcome benefits. Jejunostomy tubes were used infrequently (11.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic head resection after RYGB is an infrequently encountered, unique and challenging scenario for any given surgeon. These patients do not appear to suffer higher morbidity than those with unaltered anatomy. Various technical reconstructive options do not appear to confer distinct benefits.

The latent presentation of pancreatic fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fistula is traditionally suspected on the basis of increased drain amylase activity. However, some patients have a low amylase level but later manifest clinical evidence of a fistula. This study investigated the prevalence and significance of these presentations. METHODS: Severity of fistula was determined according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria for 405 consecutive pancreatic resections. Latent fistulas, initially lacking amylase-rich effluent but ultimately clinically relevant (grades B or C), were examined to determine their impact and significance. RESULTS: Fistula of any extent occurred in 107 patients (26.4 per cent). Latent fistulas occurred in 20 patients (4.9 per cent of all resections, 18.7 per cent of all fistulas and 36 per cent of all clinically relevant fistulas). Initial amylase activity was consistently low (range 3-235 units/l), but these fistulas subsequently manifested clinical relevance (abdominal pain, radiographic evidence, fever, sinister effluent, wound infection). Latent presentations had twice the infection rate of evident fistulas, required more aggressive interventions, resulted in longer hospitalizations and incurred greater hospital costs. CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of patients with pancreatic fistula do not initially demonstrate an amylase-rich effluent. These patients have significantly worse outcomes. In fistula definition, the clinical course is important as well as biochemical parameters.

Generation of human T-cell responses to an HLA-A2.1-restricted peptide epitope derived from alpha-fetoprotein.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is often derepressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Peptide fragments of AFP presented in the context of major histocompatibility molecules could serve as potential recognition targets by CD8 T cells, provided these lymphocytes were not clonally deleted in ontogeny. We therefore wished to determine whether the human T-cell repertoire could recognize AFP-derived peptide epitopes in the context of a common class I allele, HLA-A2.1. Dendritic cells genetically engineered to express AFP were capable of generating AFP-specific T-cell responses in autologous human lymphocyte cultures and in HLA-A2.1/Kb transgenic mice. These T cells recognize a 9-mer peptide derived from the AFP protein hAFP(542-550) (GVALQTMKQ). Identified as a potential A2.1-restricted peptide epitope from a computer analysis of the AFP sequence, hAFP(542-550) proved to have low binding affinity to A2.1, but slow off-kinetics. AFP-specific CTL- and IFN-gamma-producing cells recognize hAFP(542-550)-pulsed targets. Conversely, hAFP(542-550) peptide-generated T cells from both human lymphocyte cultures and A2.1/Kb transgenic mice recognized AFP-transfected targets in both cytotoxicity assays and cytokine release assays. These lines of evidence clearly demonstrate that AFP-reactive clones have not been deleted from the human T-cell repertoire and identify one immunodominant A2.1-restricted epitope. These findings also clearly establish AFP as a potential target for T-cell-based immunotherapy.

Genetic immunization for the melanoma antigen MART-1/Melan-A using recombinant adenovirus-transduced murine dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that process and present antigenic peptides and are capable of generating potent T-cell immunity. A murine tumor model was developed to evaluate methods of genetic immunization to the human MART-1/Melan-A (MART-1) melanoma antigen. A poorly immunogenic murine fibrosarcoma line (NFSA) was stably transfected with the MART-1 gene. This transfected tumor [NFSA(MART1)] grows progressively in C3Hf/Kam/Sed (H-2k) mice. Partial protection against a challenge with NFSA(MART1) could be achieved with i.m. injections of a MART-1 expression plasmid or with systemic administration of an adenovirus vector expressing MART-1. However, superior protection was achieved when granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin-4-differentiated murine DCs transduced with an adenovirus vector expressing MART-1 were used for immunization. Both partial and complete protection could be achieved with i.v. administration of MART-1-engineered DCs. Splenocytes from immunized mice contained MHC class 1-restricted CTLs specific for MART-1. This preclinical model of genetic immunization supports a therapeutic strategy for human melanoma.

p53 selective and nonselective replication of an E1B-deleted adenovirus in hepatocellular carcinoma.

An E1B gene-attenuated adenovirus (dl1520) has been proposed to have a selective cytolytic activity in cancer cells with a mutation or deletion in the p53 tumor suppressor gene (p53-null), a defect present in almost half of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). In this study, the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of dl1520 was investigated focusing on two human HCC cell lines, a p53-wild type (p53-wt) cell line and a p53-null cell line. dl1520 was tested for in vitro cytopathic effects and viral replication in the human HCC cell lines Hep3B (p53-null) and HepG2 (p53-wt). The in vivo antitumor effects of dl1520 were investigated in tumors grown s.c. in a severe combined immunodeficient mouse model. In addition, the combination of dl1520 infection with systemic chemotherapy was assessed in these tumor xenografts. At low multiplicities of infection, dl1520 had an apparent p53-dependent in vitro viral growth in HCC cell lines. At higher multiplicities of infection, dl1520 viral replication was independent of the p53 status of the target cells. In vivo, dl1520 significantly retarded the growth of the p53-null Hep3B xenografts, an effect augmented by the addition of cisplatin. However, complete tumor regressions were rare, and most tumors eventually grew progressively. dl1520 had no effect on the in vivo growth of the p53-wt HepG2 cells, with or without cisplatin treatment. The E1B-deleted adenoviral vector dl1520 has an apparent p53-dependent effect in HCC cell lines. However, this effect is lost at higher viral doses and only induces partial tumor regressions without tumor cures in a human HCC xenograft model.

Alpha-fetoprotein-specific genetic immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The majority of human hepatocellular carcinomas overexpress alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Two genetic immunization strategies were used to determine whether AFP could serve as a target for T-cell immune responses. Dendritic cells engineered to express AFP produced potent T-cell responses in mice, as evidenced by the generation of AFP-specific CTLs, cytokine-producing T cells, and protective immunity. AFP plasmid-based immunization generated less potent responses. These novel observations demonstrate that this oncofetal antigen can serve as an effective tumor rejection antigen. This provides a rational, gene therapy-based strategy for this disease, which is responsible for the largest number of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Adenovirus-interleukin-12-mediated tumor regression in a murine hepatocellular carcinoma model is not dependent on CD1-restricted natural killer T cells.

The cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) has shown potent antitumor activity in several tumor models. Recently, natural killer (NK) T cells have been proposed to mediate the antitumor effects of IL-12. In this study, the antitumor response of IL-12 was investigated in a gene therapeutic model against s.c. growing mouse hepatocellular carcinomas using an adenoviral vector expressing murine IL-12 (AdVmIL-12). An adenoviral-based system was chosen because of the ability of adenoviruses to transduce dividing and nondividing cells and because of their high transduction efficiencies. Our goals were to examine the efficacy of AdVmIL-12 in a hepatocellular carcinoma model and to investigate the mechanism of the AdVmIL-12-mediated antitumor response with specific interest in the role of NK T cells. Our studies demonstrate that intratumoral AdVmIL-12-mediated regression of s.c. hepatocellular tumors is associated with rapid antitumor responses. AdVmIL-12 treatment was associated with an immune cellular infiltrate consisting of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, macrophages, NK cells, and NK T cells. Antibody ablation of CD4 and CD8 T cells and use of NK cell-defective beige mice failed to abrogate the response to AdVmIL-12. Studies in T-cell- and B-cell-deficient severe combined immunodeficient and recombinase activating gene-2-deficient mice and T-cell-, B-cell-, and NK cell-defective severe combined immunodeficient/beige mice also failed to abrogate this response. AdVmIL-12 retained potent antitumor activity in mice with specific genetic defects in immune cellular cytotoxicity (perforin knockout mice) and costimulation (CD28 knockout mice). Use of mice with specific NK T cell deficiencies, Valpha14 T-cell receptor and CD1 knockout mice, also failed to abrogate the response to AdVmIL-12. Histological and immunohistochemical studies of AdVmIL-12-treated tumors showed extensive inhibition of neovascularization and a marked decrease in factor VIII-stained endothelial cells. Our studies indicate that the antitumor response of AdVmIL-12 is independent of direct cytotoxic cellular immunity (specifically, the function of NK T cells) and suggest that the initial mechanisms of AdVmIL-12-mediated tumor regression involve inhibition of angiogenesis.

Characterization of antitumor immunization to a defined melanoma antigen using genetically engineered murine dendritic cells.

A murine model of dendritic cell (DC)-based genetic immunization to a defined human melanoma antigen (Ag), MART-1/Melan-A (MART-1), was developed. The MART-1 gene was stably transfected into the nonimmunogenic mouse fibrosarcoma cell line NFSA that is syngeneic in C3Hf/Sem/Kam (C3H, H-2k) mice to generate the NFSA(MART1) cell line. In vivo protection from a lethal NFSA(MART1) tumor challenge could be generated by DCs transduced with a recombinant adenovirus (AdV) vector expressing MART-1 (AdVMART1). This model has the following characteristics: (a) immunological specificity and memory, (b) comparable protection for varying transduction multiplicities of infection, cell doses, and sites of DC inoculation but, interestingly, worse protection with increasing numbers of vaccinations, (c) the ability to treat small established tumors, (d) an absolute requirement for CD8 and CD4 T cells, (e) generation of MART-1-specific splenic cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and (f) up-regulation of both T helper type 1 and T helper type 2 cytokines. Genetically engineered DCs presenting defined tumor Ags represent an attractive method to generate effective immune responses.

Antitumor protection using murine dendritic cells pulsed with acid-eluted peptides from in vivo grown tumors of different immunogenicities.

Peptides extracted from tumor cells after mild acid treatment can function as antigenic epitopes when presented by cultured dendritic cells. Peptides were extracted from four tumors syngeneic to C3H mice, three weakly immunogenic tumors (FSA, MCAK, HCA) and one non-immunogenic tumor (NFSA). Dendritic cells pulsed with peptides extracted from the three weakly immunogenic tumors partially protect mice from a tumor challenge with the parental cell line. This protection was evident by a slower rate of tumor appearance and a slower tumor growth curve when compared to control, non-immunized mice. However, vaccination of mice with dendritic cells pulsed with peptides derived from the non-immunogenic cell line NFSA did not elicit a protective response. Neither the route of immunization, the number of immunizations, nor the amount of peptides significantly affected the antitumor protection. Dendritic cells genetically engineered to produce IL-2 did not increase the protective effect of peptide-pulsed dendritic cells. These results suggest that only a partial protection against immunogenic tumors can be achieved when dendritic cells pulsed with acid-eluted tumor peptides are used as antitumor vaccination.

Meta-analysis of pancreaticojejunostomy versus pancreaticogastrostomy reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the primary treatment for periampullary cancer. Associated morbidity is high and often related to pancreatic anastomotic failure. This paper compares rates of pancreatic fistula, morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients having reconstruction by pancreaticogastrostomy with those in patients having reconstruction by pancreaticojejunostomy. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed of all large cohort and randomized controlled trials carried out since 1990. RESULTS: Eleven articles were identified for inclusion: one prospective randomized trial, two non-randomized prospective trials and eight observational cohort studies. The meta-analysis revealed a higher rate of pancreatic fistula associated with pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction (relative risk (RR) 2.62 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.91 to 3.60)). A higher overall morbidity rate was also demonstrated in this group (RR 1.43 (95 per cent c.i. 1.26 to 1.61)), as was a higher mortality rate (RR 2.51 (95 per cent c.i. 1.61 to 3.91)). CONCLUSION: Current literature suggests that the safer means of pancreatic reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy is pancreaticogastrostomy, but much of the evidence comes from observational cohort study data.

Composition of globoid crystals from embryo protein bodies in five species of cucurbita.

Previous energy-dispersive x-ray analysis studies of globoid crystal composition in seed protein bodies gave an indication that there might be a correlation between seed size and the type of elements stored in globoid crystals. This possibility was tested by conducting energy-dispersive x-ray analysis studies of P, K, Mg, and Ca levels in globoid crystals of four embryo regions (radicle, stem, cotyledon center palisade mesophyll, cotyledon center spongy mesophyII) in each of five different Cucurbita species (C. mixta, C. moschata, C. foetidissima, C. pepo, and C. andreana). The species were chosen to provide a range of seed size and weight. Globoid crystals from all embryo regions in all five species contained P, K, and Mg. Some variations in the levels of these elements did occur but there was no consistent pattern with regard to area of the seed or with regard to seed size. Calcium distribution showed significant variations. In species with large seeds (C. mixta, C. moschata) Ca was mainly found in globoid crystals in the radicle. Globoid crystals in species with small seeds (C. foetidissima, C. pepo, C. andreana) contained Ca in all embryo regions tested. The results of this study support the concept that Ca distribution in globoid crystals can be correlated with seed weight.

Energy-dispersive x-Ray Analysis of Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium in Globoid Crystals in Protein Bodies from Different Regions of Cucurbita maxima Embryos.

The seeds of Cucurbita maxima contain protein bodies with electrondense globoid crystals. Because of their density globoid crystals are ideal material for energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis studies of elemental composition. Fixation trials were carried out to test globoid crystal extraction during glutaraldehyde fixation, water washing, and ethanol dehydration. Glutaraldehyde fixation without subsequent washing or dehydration alone produced no significant changes in elemental composition of cotyledon globoid crystals. If glutaraldehyde fixation was followed by water washes or ethanol dehydration there was some loss of the major globoid crystal elements but the relative percentages of the elements P, K, Ca, and Mg remained relatively unchanged. In this paper results of a study of the P, K, Mg, and Ca content of globoid crystals in different tissues of squash embryos are presented. The globoid crystals in the radicle were found to be the least dense in the embryo. Globoid crystals from all embryo regions contained P, K, and Mg. In the various embryo regions P and Mg maintained relatively constant proportions of the globoid crystal composition while K and Ca varied. Of particular significance is the distribution of Ca which is generally an immobile element. Calcium was found in highest amounts in the globoid crystals of the radicle and stem regions while globoid crystals in much of the cotyledon contained little, if any, Ca. The Ca storage thus seems to be spatially arranged in a manner that would aid early growth of the root-shoot axis.

Management of a solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas with liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Solid pseudopapillary tumor, otherwise known as solid and cystic tumor or Frantz tumor, is an unusual form of pancreatic carcinoma. Its natural history differs from the more common pancreatic adenocarcinoma in that it has a female predilection, is more indolent, and carries a better prognosis. Metastatic disease can occur, usually involving the liver, and its management is not well defined. CASE OUTLINE: A young woman was found to have a tumor situated in the pancreatic tail with seven synchronous hepatic metastases. Segments II and III were free of metastatic disease. A needle biopsy of the pancreatic lesion was non-diagnostic but suggested that the lesion was unlikely to be a typical adenocarcinoma. Initial treatment consisted of a distal pancreatectomy, which confirmed the diagnosis of a solid pseudopapillary tumor. Given the indolent nature of this pathologic entity as well as the patient's youth, an aggressive approach to treatment of the hepatic metastases was recommended. Because the liver was fatty, the right portal vein was embolized to produce hypertrophy of the left hemiliver. Six weeks later an extended right hepatectomy cleared the hepatic disease. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery, and she remains disease-free at 22 months. DISCUSSION: Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare malignancy. Survival following primary resection approaches 95% at 5 years. Metastatic disease, although rare, usually involves the liver and/or peritoneum. Given the paucity of reported cases, the management of metastatic disease is, to date, poorly defined. This case demonstrates a favorable short-term outcome with aggressive surgical treatment of both the primary and metastatic tumor.

Calcium distribution in globoid crystals of cucurbita cotyledon protein bodies.

Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis was used to investigate the location of globoid crystals with relatively high Ca levels within cotyledons of Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, and Cucurbita andreana. The small globoid crystals in both upper and lower epidermal cells commonly contained Ca. Ca was present in globoid crystals of all provascular regions with the exception of the very small provascular regions of C. maxima. In C. maxima and C. mixta cotyledons, some cases were observed where Ca was found in the globoid crystals of the first layer of mesophyll cells surrounding the provascular region, but in general Ca was absent from globoid crystals of palisade and spongy mesophyll cells. In C. andreana, globoid crystals of palisade and spongy mesophyll cells commonly contained at least some Ca. Cell position and cell type are factors affecting the Ca content of globoid crystals in protein bodies.

Mineral reserves in castor beans: the dry seed.

Elemental composition and distribution of the mineral reserves in the endosperm and embryo tissues of Ricinus communis cultivars Hale and Zanzibarensis were investigated. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis was used to determine the elemental composition of the globoid crystals, while atomic absorption spectrometry allowed quantification of the elements, particularly Ca, in various seed regions. No major differences were found between the two cultivars with regard to the elemental distribution in globoid crystals. While the majority of globoid crystals contained P, K, and Mg, the occasional one also contained Ca. In extremely rare instances, Fe was detected in globoid crystals. Ca-containing globoid crystals were more common in provascular cell protein bodies in the stem and radicle. Polarized light microscopy, micro-incineration, and acid solubility tests demonstrated the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the innermost testa which adheres to the endosperm and is often mistakenly identified as endosperm. Atomic absorption spectrometry revealed that most of the calcium present in castor bean seeds is localized in the testa. On a perseed-region basis, the much larger endosperm contains more Ca than does the embryo. However, on a unit-weight basis, the radicle-plus-stem regions contain considerably more Ca than does the cotyledon or endosperm, an observation that is consistent with the observed distribution pattern for Ca-containing globoid crystals.

Sclerosing pancreatitis presenting as a periampullary tumour.

BACKGROUND: Sclerosing lesions of the pancreatic duct are rare and may be secondary to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) or the result of a primary sclerosing process (the recently described lymphoplasmacystic sclerosing pancreatitis, LSP). Occasionally this process may present as a mass lesion. CASE OUTLINE: A 21 -year-old man presented with abdominal pain and jaundice, giving a high index of suspicion for a periampullary malignancy. There were minimal symptoms suggestive of PSC. The resected head of the pancreas demonstrated changes of chronic pancreatitis with a fibro-inflammatory process of the pancreatic duct suggesting an underlying ductal sclerosing process. DISCUSSION: Clinical presentation and imaging characteristics of PSC involving the pancreas are often misleading and may suggest a neoplasm as the underlying disorder. Conclusive diagnosis is usually not determined until after surgical intervention. Although racial differences in pancreatic duct involvement have been suggested, the underlying histopathology is the same as in PSC involving the biliary ducts.

T cell responses to HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides derived from human alpha fetoprotein.

alpha fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptide epitopes can be recognized by human T cells in the context of MHC class I. We determined the identity of AFP-derived peptides, presented in the context of HLA-A*0201, that could be recognized by the human (h) T cell repertoire. We screened 74 peptides and identified 3 new AFP epitopes, hAFP(137-145), hAFP(158-166), and hAFP(325-334), in addition to the previously reported hAFP(542-550.) Each possesses two anchor residues and stabilized HLA-A*0201 on T2 cells in a concentration-dependent class I binding assay. The peptides were stable for 2-4 h in an off-kinetics assay. Each peptide induced peptide-specific T cells in vitro from several normal HLA-A*0201 donors. Importantly, these hAFP peptide-specific T cells also were capable of recognizing HLA-A*0201(+)/AFP(+) tumor cells in both cytotoxicity assays and IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assays. The immunogenicity of each peptide was tested in vivo with HLA-A*0201/K(b)-transgenic mice. After immunization with each peptide emulsified in CFA, draining lymph node cells produced IFN-gamma on recognition of cells stably transfected with hAFP. Furthermore, AFP peptide-specific T cells could be identified in the spleens of mice immunized with dendritic cells transduced with an AFP-expressing adenovirus (AdVhAFP). Three of four AFP peptides could be identified by mass spectrometric analysis of surface peptides from an HLA-A*0201 human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line. Thus, compelling immunological and physiochemical evidence is presented that at least four hAFP-derived epitopes are naturally processed and presented in the context of class I, are immunogenic, and represent potential targets for hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy.