Lowering T Cell Activation Thresholds and Deregulating Homeostasis to Facilitate Immunotherapeutic Responses to Treat Prostate Cancer
Abstract
The induction of tumor-specific T cells remains a primary obstacle to immunotherapeutic approaches for most cancers including prostate cancer. This difficulty has been largely ascribed to mechanisms for tumor evasion of the immune system and host-imposed restrictions (collectively referred to as tolerance) that prevent cross-reactive autoimmunity against the parent tissues from which tumors arise. Limitations in techniques to identify novel and truly immunogenic prostate-specific antigens and efficient methods to modify autologous tissues for vaccine preparation have further constrained approaches to develop immune-based therapies for prostate cancer. Hence, relatively straightforward manipulations that induce specific T cell responses against prostate tumors or epithelial tissues, especially in vivo, might ultimately prove valuable for prostate cancer immunotherapy. Our studies explore a new paradigm in which we will exploit blockade of T cell purigenic receptors A2a and A2b (using caffeine) to alleviate tumor-induced impairments in T cell function to potentiate T cellmediated immunotherapeutic responses to treat established prostate tumors in mice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA460762
Entities
People
- Eugene D. Kwon
Organizations
- Mayo Clinic