Serologic markers of effective tumor immunity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia include nonmutated B-cell antigens

Ovidiu Marina, Ursula Hainz, Melinda A. Biernacki, Wandi Zhang, Ann Cai, Jonathan S. Duke-Cohan, Fenglong Liu, Vladimir Brusic, Donna Neuberg, Jeffery L. Kutok, Edwin P. Alyea, Christine M. Canning, Robert J. Soiffer, Jerome Ritz, Catherine J. Wu

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who relapse after allogeneic transplant may achieve durable remission following donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), showing the potency of donor-derived immunity in eradicating tumors. We sought to elucidate the antigenic basis of the effective graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) responses associated with DLI for the treatment of CLL by analyzing the specificity of plasma antibody responses developing in two DLI-treated patients who achieved long-term remission without graft-versus-host disease. By probing high-density protein microarrays with patient plasma, we discovered 35 predominantly intracellular antigens that elicited high-titer antibody reactivity greater in post-DLI than in pre-DLI plasma. Three antigens - C6orf130, MDS032, and ZFYVE19 - were identified by both patients. Along with additional candidate antigens DAPK3, SERBP1, and OGFOD1, these proteins showed higher transcript and protein expression in B cells and CLL cells compared with normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. DAPK3 and the shared antigens do not represent minor histocompatibility antigens, as their sequences are identical in both donor and tumor. Although ZFYVE19, DAPK3, and OGFOD1 elicited minimal antibody reactivity in 12 normal subjects and 12 chemotherapy-treated CLL patients, 5 of 12 CLL patients with clinical GvL responses were serologically reactive to these antigens. Moreover, antibody reactivity against these antigens was temporally correlated with clinical disease regression. These B-cell antigens represent promising biomarkers of effective anti-CLL immunity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1344-1355
Number of pages12
JournalCancer Research
Volume70
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Serologic markers of effective tumor immunity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia include nonmutated B-cell antigens'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this