Induction of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted and MAGE-3-gene-derived peptide-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes using cultured dendritic cells from an HLA-A2 esophageal cancer patient

Background and Objectives: Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a 10-year survivor with established human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2( +) and MAGE-3(+) esophageal cancer cell line (KYSE-170), we examined the in duction of HLA-A2-restricted and MAGE-3-gene-derived peptide (FLWGPRALV, am ino acids 271-279)-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Methods: Autologous dendritic cells (DCs) cultured with granulocyte-macroph age colony stimulating factor and interleukin-4 were used as antigen presen ting cells. PBMCs were stimulated by peptide-pulsed DCs in vitro. Results: PBMC cocultured with FLWGPRALV-pulsed DCs could induce the relevan t peptide-specific CTLs, which had tumor necrosis factor production and spe cific cytotoxicity against relevant peptide-pulsed autologous DCs (34%, eff ector:target ratio = 40:1). Moreover, they showed specific cytotoxicity aga inst the autologous esophageal cancer cell line KYSE-170 (17%, effector:tar get ratio = 40:1). Conclusions: These results suggest that FLWGPRALV-pulsed cultured DCs would be a potent candidate for peptide vaccine against HLA-A2(+) and MAGE-3(+) esophageal cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999;71:16-21. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.