Mice Expressing the Human Carcinoembryonic Antigen

摘要: A series of important studies have led to a relaxation in the paradigms overseeing self/nonself immunity. Antigens which are oncofetal and/or serve as markers cellular differentiation that overexpressed or ectopically expressed by malignant cells were believed not be targets for immunotherapy because host immune tolerance. That conclusion has been challenged recent years indicating antigenic determinants self induced absolute Thus, under specific immunological conditions, peptides from those antigens can processed antigen-presenting machinery, bound MHC groove and intervention (1–4). Those actions, turn, offer possibility antigens, oncogenes tumor-suppressor genes found tumor may considered attack system (5–8). One tissue-specific, tumor-associated shows much higher expression levels on tumors than corresponding normal epithelial is carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This chapter reviews data offers convincing evidence CEA indeed target vaccine-mediated therapy human cancers. The first part briefly introduces gene family use an indicator diagnosis patient management. More in-depth examinations subjects published elsewhere (9,10). second experimental transgenic mouse model expresses self, antigen. major focus development provide some insights into CEA-based vaccine strategies. final section summarizes early clinical results immunotherapeutic target.