Review

Nature Reviews Cancer 4, 371-380 (May 2004) | doi:10.1038/nrc1365

Molecules and mechanisms of the graft-versus-leukaemia effect

Marie Bleakley1 & Stanley R. Riddell1  About the authors

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The ability of allogeneic bone-marrow cells and peripheral-blood stem cells to cure leukaemia remains the most striking example of the ability of the human immune system to recognize and destroy tumours. However, harnessing this 'graft-versus-leukaemia' effect to improve outcome for patients with advanced disease and segregating it from graft-versus-host disease have proven to be key challenges. The recent identification of molecules that are specifically expressed by leukaemic cells and that can be recognized by T cells has indicated that immunological reactivity can be targeted. This anticancer specificity of T cells should soon be routinely incorporated into allogeneic stem-cell transplant regimens to promote tumour eradication.

Author affiliations

  1. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.

Correspondence to: Stanley R. Riddell1 Email: sriddell@fhcrc.org

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