T. Takahashi et al., AUGMENTATION OF IGM ANTIBODY TO GP43 TUMOR-ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN PEPTIDEBY MELANOMA CELL VACCINE, Journal of clinical immunology, 18(4), 1998, pp. 299-305
We previously reported that gp43 tumor-associated antigen peptide (DLT
MKYQIF; designated 810 antigen) on human melanoma cells is recognized
by IgM human monoclonal antibody L92 and by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (C
TL). In this study, we retrospectively tested sera of 44 patients with
regional metastatic melanoma (22 who recurred within 1 year and 22 wh
o survived longer than 5 years) to determine if antibody responses to
810 antigen could be induced by immunization with an allogeneic melano
ma cell vaccine that contained 810 peptide. IgM and IgG antibodies wer
e assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a synthetic 810
nonamer peptide. A significant augmentation of IgM antibody was demons
trated 4 weeks after initiation of vaccine therapy, and the IgM level
was significantly higher in patients who survived more than 5 years. T
he antigen epitope recognized by antibodies was located within TMKYQI.
Of this epitope sequence, K appears to play a central role in antigen
icity. The 810 antigen recognized by antibody and CTL may have clinica
l relevance as a potential source of melanoma vaccine.