MAGE-specific T cells detected directly ex-vivo correlate with complete remission in metastatic breast cancer patients after sequential immune-endocrine therapy.

ABSTRACT: Studies suggest that conventional cancer therapies given after immunotherapy (IT) can boost antitumor immunity and possibly improve response rates and progression-free survival. We report two cases of metastatic breast cancer with durable complete responses (CRs) after sequential IT and endocrine therapy. Immune analyses of these long-term disease-free breast cancer patients previously treated with imiquimod (IMQ) suggest in-situ vaccination is achieved by topical application of the TLR-7 agonist directly onto tumors. Furthermore, IT-induced antigen-specific T cells were expanded by subsequent endocrine therapy and correlated with response, persisting > 2 years. Our findings therefore suggest that the induction/boosting of polyfunctional tumor antigen-specific T in response to sequential i

SUBMITTER: Janosky M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5569937 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature