Am J Blood Res 2012;2(1):29-35
Review Article
Cancer-Testis antigens: The current status on antigen regulation and potential
clinical use
Seah H Lim, Yana Zhang, Jian Zhang
Amarillo Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Texas Oncology-Amarillo Cancer Center, TX, USA
Received October 18, 2011; accepted November 21, 2011; Epub December 15, 2011; Published January 15, 2012
Abstract: Immunotherapy is theoretically an attractive therapeutic option for patients with hematological malignancies.
Various laboratory studies suggested the importance of the choice of tumor antigen for successful immunotherapy.
Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are potentially suitable molecules for tumor vaccines of hematological malignancies because
of their high immunogenicity in vivo, even in cancer-bearing patients, and their relatively restricted normal tissue distribution.
Tumor cell kill using a CTA-based immunotherapy will, therefore, be more specific and associated with less toxicities when
compared to chemotherapy. Many CTAs have been identified in various hematologic malignancies. In this review, we will take
the readers through the journey of hopes and the disappointments arisen from the discovery of CTAs. We will describe the
features of CTAs and their expression in hematologic malignancies. We will also discuss the mechanisms regulating the
expression of these CTAs, from a primary regulatory mechanism involving DNA methylation to secondary controls by
cytokines. Finally, we will address the potential obstacles that will prevent the successful use of CTAs as targets for tumor
immunotherapy. (AJBR1110003).
Keywords: Cancer-testis antigens, hematological malignancies, DNA methylation, heterogeneity of antigen expression
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Seah H Lim, MD, PhD
Texas Oncology-Amarillo Cancer Center
1000 Coulter Drive
Amarillo, TX 79106
Tel: 1-806-358 8654
E-mail: seah.lim@usoncology.com
Review Article
Cancer-Testis antigens: The current status on antigen regulation and potential
clinical use
Seah H Lim, Yana Zhang, Jian Zhang
Amarillo Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Texas Oncology-Amarillo Cancer Center, TX, USA
Received October 18, 2011; accepted November 21, 2011; Epub December 15, 2011; Published January 15, 2012
Abstract: Immunotherapy is theoretically an attractive therapeutic option for patients with hematological malignancies.
Various laboratory studies suggested the importance of the choice of tumor antigen for successful immunotherapy.
Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are potentially suitable molecules for tumor vaccines of hematological malignancies because
of their high immunogenicity in vivo, even in cancer-bearing patients, and their relatively restricted normal tissue distribution.
Tumor cell kill using a CTA-based immunotherapy will, therefore, be more specific and associated with less toxicities when
compared to chemotherapy. Many CTAs have been identified in various hematologic malignancies. In this review, we will take
the readers through the journey of hopes and the disappointments arisen from the discovery of CTAs. We will describe the
features of CTAs and their expression in hematologic malignancies. We will also discuss the mechanisms regulating the
expression of these CTAs, from a primary regulatory mechanism involving DNA methylation to secondary controls by
cytokines. Finally, we will address the potential obstacles that will prevent the successful use of CTAs as targets for tumor
immunotherapy. (AJBR1110003).
Keywords: Cancer-testis antigens, hematological malignancies, DNA methylation, heterogeneity of antigen expression
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Seah H Lim, MD, PhD
Texas Oncology-Amarillo Cancer Center
1000 Coulter Drive
Amarillo, TX 79106
Tel: 1-806-358 8654
E-mail: seah.lim@usoncology.com
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