Abstract
Presentation of endogenous antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes is mediated by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. For the stable assembly of MHC class I complex it is necessary that the antigenic peptide is transported by the MHC-encoded transporters TAP-1 and TAP-2 into a pre-Golgi region. T-cell-mediated host-vs-tumour response might therefore depend on the presence of these molecules on tumour cells. The presence of MHC class I antigens and TAP-1 was studied in a series of 93 resection specimens of non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against the assembled class I molecule, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), heavy-chain A locus, A2 allele and TAP-1 protein. Eighty-six patients were included in the survival analysis. Total loss of class I molecule was observed in 38% of the cases and was usually accompanied by loss of beta 2-m and of heavy chain A locus. Selective loss of A locus was seen in 8.3% and of A2 allele in 27% of the cases. TAP-1 loss was always combined with beta 2-m and/or heavy chain A locus loss. No correlation was found between the expressional status of any of the above molecules, including the selective A2 allelic loss and histological type, degree of differentiation, tumoral stage, nodal stage and survival. Our findings suggest that loss of antigen-presenting molecules (including both MHC class I alleles and TAP-1) is a frequent event in lung cancer. However, the immunophenotypic profile of MHC class I and TAP-1 seems to be unrelated in vivo to the phenotype, growth or survival of NSCLC.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Korkolopoulou, P., Kaklamanis, L., Pezzella, F. et al. Loss of antigen-presenting molecules (MHC class I and TAP-1) in lung cancer. Br J Cancer 73, 148–153 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1996.28
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1996.28
This article is cited by
-
Cross-presentation of a TAP-independent signal peptide induces CD8 T immunity to escaped cancers but necessitates anchor replacement
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy (2022)
-
Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (2021)
-
Biological Selenium Nano-particles Modify Immune Responses of Macrophages Exposed to Bladder Tumor Antigens
Journal of Cluster Science (2021)
-
Immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of MSI-H/MMR-D colorectal cancer and a perspective on resistance mechanisms
British Journal of Cancer (2019)
-
Immunotherapies for pediatric cancer: current landscape and future perspectives
Cancer and Metastasis Reviews (2019)