Interferon γ Limits the Effectiveness of Melanoma Peptide Vaccines
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2011
Abstract
The development of effective therapeutic vaccines to generate tumor-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) continues to be a top research priority. However, in spite of some promising results, there are no clear examples of vaccines that eradicate established tumors. Most vaccines are ineffective because they generate low numbers of CTLs and because numerous immunosuppressive factors abound in tumor-bearing hosts. We designed a peptide vaccine that produces large numbers of tumor-reactive CTLs in a mouse model of melanoma. Surprisingly, CTL tumor recognition and antitumor effects decreased in the presence of interferon γ (IFNγ), a cytokine that can provide therapeutic benefit. Tumors exposed to IFNγ evade CTLs by inducing large amounts of noncognate major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, which limit T-cell activation and effector function. Our results demonstrate that peptide vaccines can eradicate large, established tumors in circumstances under which the inhibitory activities of IFNγ are curtailed.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2010-08-298117
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Blood, v. 117, issue 1, p. 135-144
Scholar Commons Citation
Cho, Hyun-Il; Lee, Young-Ran; and Celis, Esteban, "Interferon γ Limits the Effectiveness of Melanoma Peptide Vaccines" (2011). Oncologic Sciences Faculty Publications. 11.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/onc_facpub/11
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
