Identification of glypican-3-derived long peptides activating both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells; prolonged overall survival in cancer patients with Th cell response.

ABSTRACT: In a recent phase I clinical trial, a vaccine consisting of glypican-3 (GPC3)-derived CTL epitopes was found to be safe and induced measurable immune and clinical responses in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to identify GPC3-derived long peptides (GPC3-LPs) carrying promiscuous HLA class II-restricted T helper (Th) cell epitopes. Using a computer algorithm, we predicted GPC3-LPs that can bind to promiscuous HLA class II molecules. Their antigenicity for induction of specific CD4⁺ T cells in healthy donors or patients with HCC, before and after vaccination with GPC3-SPs, was proven by IFNγ enzyme-linked immunospot assays. Natural processing of these epitopes was confirmed by the immune response of helper T cells to dendritic cells (DCs) loa

SUBMITTER: Sayem MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4760284 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature