Functional OCT4-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in healthy controls and ovarian cancer patients.

ABSTRACT: The identification of growth and differentiation pathways that are responsible for the proliferation and survival of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has opened avenues for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. In the initial phase of an anticancer immune response, T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens develop in patients and, at least under selected circumstances, are able to eliminate malignant cells. However, it remains unknown whether CSC-specific T cells are also operational. We found naturally occurring multifunctional CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells specific for the stem cell marker OCT4 among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of both healthy individuals and ovarian cancer patients. Moreover, lymphocytes isolated from the ascites of patients affected

SUBMITTER: Di J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3667911 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature