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Cancer

Lewis-Y Carbohydrate Antigen as a Target for Immunotherapy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists have discovered that the Lewis-Y carbohydrate antigen is expressed on a range of tumors, including squamous cell lung carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma. Specifically, 42% of squamous cell lung carcinoma, 80% of lung adenocarcinoma, 25% of ovarian carcinoma, and 25% of colorectal adenocarcinoma expressed Lewis-Y. Furthermore, the study found that Lewis-Y-specific human T cells can retain antitumor function in the presence of patient serum, indicating that this antigen is a suitable target for immunotherapy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lewis-Y carbohydrate antigen is expressed on a range of tumors, including squamous cell lung carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma.
  • 42% of squamous cell lung carcinoma, 80% of lung adenocarcinoma, 25% of ovarian carcinoma, and 25% of colorectal adenocarcinoma expressed Lewis-Y.
  • Lewis-Y-specific human T cells can retain antitumor function in the presence of patient serum.
  • The T-cell response was not inhibited by serum containing soluble Lewis-Y.
  • The study demonstrates that Lewis-Y is a suitable target for immunotherapy.
  • The researchers generated Lewis-Y-specific human T cells by genetic modification with a chimeric receptor encoding a single-chain humanized antibody linked to the T-cell signaling molecules T-cell receptor-zeta and CD28.

Statistics:

  • 42% of squamous cell lung carcinoma expressed Lewis-Y.
  • 80% of lung adenocarcinoma expressed Lewis-Y.
  • 25% of ovarian carcinoma expressed Lewis-Y.
  • 25% of colorectal adenocarcinoma expressed Lewis-Y.
  • Up to 90% of tumor cells expressed Lewis-Y at low to intense levels.
  • Serum levels of soluble Lewis-Y in patients were often less than 1 ng/mL.
  • Approximately 30% of patients had soluble Lewis-Y levels exceeding 1 ng/mL and up to 9 ng/mL.

Sources:

  • Westwood, J. A., et al. "The Lewis-Y Carbohydrate Antigen is Expressed by Many Human Tumors and Can Serve as a Target for Genetically Redirected T cells Despite the Presence of Soluble Antigen in Serum." Journal of Immunotherapy, vol. 32, no. 3, 2009, pp. 292-301.
  • Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (Publisher)
  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Center (Cancer Immunology Research Program)
  • NewsRx.com (via Cancer Gene Therapy Week)

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