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CD4+ T Cell Responses to HLA-DP5-Restricted Wild-Type Sequence p53 Peptides in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Gunma University in Maebashi, Japan, have identified a significant association between CD4+ T cell responses and wild-type p53 peptides in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The study, published in Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, found that 57.9% of patients with HLA-DP5+ had detectable Th1 and/or Th2 responses to wild-type p53 peptides, whereas none of the healthy donors exhibited such responses. The researchers also discovered that the nature of immune responses to wild-type p53 peptides was influenced by the presence of a tumor and its progression. Four patients with early disease showed Th1-polarized or mixed Th1/Th2 responses, while five patients with advanced disease exhibited Th2-polarized or mixed Th1/Th2 responses.

Key Takeaways:

  • 57.9% of patients with HLA-DP5+ had detectable Th1 and/or Th2 responses to wild-type p53 peptides, as opposed to none of the healthy donors.
  • The presence of a tumor and its progression appeared to influence the nature of immune responses to wild-type p53 peptides.
  • Patients with early disease (4 out of 9) showed Th1-polarized or mixed Th1/Th2 responses, while those with advanced disease (5 out of 9) exhibited Th2-polarized or mixed Th1/Th2 responses.
  • Four patients with early disease showed Th1-polarized responses, while two patients with advanced disease showed Th2-polarized responses.
  • All 11 responding patients had a tumor burden, while 2 responding patients were in post-operative condition.
  • The researchers used ELISPOT assays to detect the release of IFN-gamma and IL-5 in response to wild-type p53 peptides.
  • Immunohistochemistry for p53 accumulation in tumors and ELISA for serum antibodies to p53 were also performed.

Statistics:

  • 57.9% of patients with HLA-DP5+ had detectable Th1 and/or Th2 responses to wild-type p53 peptides.
  • 9 out of 11 responding patients had a tumor burden.
  • 4 patients with early disease showed Th1-polarized responses.
  • 5 patients with advanced disease showed Th2-polarized responses.
  • 2 responding patients were in post-operative condition.

Sources:

  • Chikamatsu, K., et al. "CD4+ T cell responses to HLA-DP5-restricted wild-type sequence p53 peptides in patients with head and neck cancer." Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, vol. 58, no. 9, 2009, pp. 1441-1448.
  • Cancer Vaccine Week editors. "CD4+ T cell responses to HLA-DP5-restricted wild-type sequence p53 peptides in patients with head and neck cancer." NewsRx.com, 2009.

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