Cancer-testis antigens: An update on their roles in cancer immunotherapy

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Taherian-Esfahani, Zahra | Dashti, Sepideh^*

Affiliations: Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Sepideh Dashti, Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. %****␣hab-27-hab190366_temp.tex␣Line␣25␣**** Tel.: +98 912 806 8748; Fax: +98 212 387 2572; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have assessed suitability of tumor antigens for immunotherapy. Based on the restricted expression pattern in somatic tissues, cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are possible candidates for cancer immunotherapy. These antigens are expressed in various tumors including gastrointestinal, breast, skin and hematologic malignancies. OBJECTIVES: To find clinical trials utilizing CTAs in cancer patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed, google scholar and specific websites that registers clinical trials. RESULTS: A number of clinical trials have been designed to evaluate safety and efficacy of CTA-based treatments. The results of some of them have been promising. In the current literature search, we summarized the clinical trials of CTA-based therapies in cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the availability of different formulations of CTA-based vaccines, future researches should compare efficiency of these modalities.

Keywords: Cancer-testis antigen, immunotherapy, biomarker, clinical trial

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-190366

Journal: Human Antibodies, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 171-183, 2019