Breast Cancer Escape from T Cell Rejection Mediated by Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase

Abstract

We performed research to support our hypothesis that human breast cancers have the capacity to evade a T cell mediated rejection at least in part by inducing the expression of an immunosuppressive enzyme called indoleamine 2,3-didoxygenase (IDO). Both of the objectives proposed in the original application were met. Using RT-PCR, we were able to demonstrate in a series of human breast tumors that IDO was expressed in the majority of these cancers. Furthermore, we made the interesting observation that the cells that invade breast tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes that express IDO, as determined by immunohistochemical staining, are non-malignant mononuclear cells. This is supportive of our hypothesis that breast tumors induce the recruitment of DO-expressing immunosuppresive antigen presenting cells as a mechanism of evasion of an immune mediated rejection. The second objective of developing a mixed autologous tumor cell/lymph node cell model was also met. In this model a competitive inhibitor of IDO, 1 -methyl-tryptophan, was ineffective in augmenting an anti-tumor T cell response. Future experiments will include a T cell priming strategy in addition to IDO inhibition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADB285481

Entities

People

  • Scott J. Antonia

Organizations

  • University of South Florida

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Antigens
  • Biomedical Research
  • Blood
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Inhibition
  • Inhibitors
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Lymphatic System
  • Lymphocytes
  • Neoplasms
  • Rejection
  • Tryptophan

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Immunology
  • Occupational Health and Safety.