Induction of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted and MAGE-3-gene-derived peptide-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes using cultured dendritic cells from an HLA-A2 esophageal cancer patient.

Objective: Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a 10-year survivor with established human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2(+) and MAGE-3(+) esophageal cancer cell line (KYSE-170), we examined the induction of HLA-A2-restricted and MAGE-3-gene-derived peptide (FLWGPRALV, amino acids 271-279)-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs).

Methods: Autologous dendritic cells (DCs) cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-4 were used as antigen presenting cells. PBMCs were stimulated by peptide-pulsed DCs in vitro.

Results: PBMC cocultured with FLWGPRALV-pulsed DCs could induce the relevant peptide-specific CTLs, which had tumor necrosis factor production and specific cytotoxicity against relevant peptide-pulsed autologous DCs (34%, effector:target ratio = 40:1). Moreover, they showed specific cytotoxicity against the autologous esophageal cancer cell line KYSE-170 (17%, effector:target ratio = 40:1).

Conclusions: These results suggest that FLWGPRALV-pulsed cultured DCs would be a potent candidate for peptide vaccine against HLA-A2(+) and MAGE-3(+) esophageal cancer.