A dendritic cell vaccine increases the breadth and diversity of melanoma neoantigen-specific T cells

T cell immunity directed against tumor-encoded amino acid substitutions occurs in some melanoma patients. This implicates missense mutations as a source of patient-specific neoantigens. However, a systematic evaluation of these putative neoantigens as targets of antitumor immunity is lacking. Moreover, it remains unknown whether vaccination can augment such responses. We found that a dendritic cell vaccine led to an increase in naturally occurring neoantigen-specific immunity and revealed previously undetected human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-restricted neoantigens in patients with advanced melanoma. The presentation of neoantigens by HLA-A*02:01 in human melanoma was confirmed by mass spectrometry.…

• FF
  Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• NH
  National Human Genome Research Institute

  Award: 5U54HG00307
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Awards: R21 CA179695, P30 CA91842