Counteracting subversion of MHC class II antigen presentation by tumors

Abstract

The success of immunotherapy against human cancers relies on somewhat ill-defined correlates. While a role for CD4+ T lymphocytes in the control of tumor growth is well established, we are still looking for ways to harness the MHC class II antigen presentation pathway for the development of an efficient immune response. Learning the mechanisms by which tumors circumvent the immune responses is the first step towards the development of cell-based vaccines. Here, we discuss the variability of MHC II expression by tumor cells and the impact on the immune response. Also, we address how tumor cells or dendritic cells can be modified ex vivo to activate circulating tumor-specific T cells in the fight against cancers.