Human melanoma MZ2-MEL expresses several distinct antigens that are recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). Some of these antigens are encoded by genes MAGE-1, MAGE-3, and BAGE, which are expressed in a large fraction of tumors of various histological types but are silent in normal adult tissues with the exception of testis. We report here the identification of the gene coding for MZ2-F, another antigen recognized by autologous CTL on MZ2-MEL cells. This gene, which was named GAGE-1, is not related to any presently known gene. It belongs to a family of genes that are expressed in a variety of tumors but not in normal tissues, except for the testis. Antigenic peptide YRPRPRRY, which is encoded by GAGE-1, is recognized by anti-MZ2-F CTL on class I molecule HLA-Cw6. The two genes of the GAGE family that code for this peptide, namely GAGE-1 and GAGE-2, are expressed in a significant proportion of melanomas (24%), sarcomas (25%), non-small cell lung cancers (19%), head and neck tumors (19%), and bladder tumors (12%). About 50% of melanoma patients carry on their tumor at least one of the presently defined antigens encoded by the MAGE, BAGE, and GAGE genes.

IL-27, a novel heterodimeric cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells, signals through the T cell cytokine receptor (TCCR) ^/WSX-1 expressed on naïve CD4 ⁺ T cells and natural killer cells. TCCR ^/WSX-1 deficiency results in delayed T helper type 1 (T _H 1) development through an unresolved mechanism. We report here that IL-27 stimulation in developing murine T helper cells potently induces the expression of the major T _H 1-specific transcription factor T-bet and its downstream target IL-12R β2, independently of IFNγ. In addition, IL-27 suppresses basal expression of GATA-3, the critical T _H 2-specific transcription factor that inhibits T _H 1 development by down-regulating signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 4. IL-27 signaling through TCCR ^/WSX-1 induces phosphorylation of Stat1, Stat3, Stat4, and Stat5. Stat1 is required for suppression of GATA-3, but T-bet induction by IL-27 can also be mediated through a Stat1-independent pathway. Despite its T _H 1-like signaling profile, IL-27 is not sufficient to drive the differentiation of CD4 ⁺ T cells into IFNγ-producing cells. Similarly, IL-27 induces T-bet expression in primary natural killer cells, but this does not result in an increase of IFNγ production or cytotoxic activity. Therefore, although IL-27 is unable to drive IFNγ production on its own, it plays an important role in the early steps of T _H 1 commitment by contributing in a paracrine manner to the control of IL-12 responsiveness.

Purpose: Autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) electroporated with synthetic mRNA (TriMixDC-MEL) are immunogenic and have antitumor activity as a monotherapy in patients with pretreated advanced melanoma. Ipilimumab, an immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody directed against the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 receptor that counteracts physiologic suppression of T-cell function, improves the overall survival of patients with advanced melanoma. This phase II study investigated the combination of TriMixDC-MEL and ipilimumab in patients with pretreated advanced melanoma.Patients and Methods: Thirty-nine patients were treated with TriMixDC-MEL (4 × 10⁶cells administered intradermally and 20 × 10⁶cells administered intravenously) plus ipilimumab (10 mg/kg every 3 weeks for a total of four administrations, followed by maintenance therapy every 12 weeks in patients who remained progression free). Six-month disease control rate according to the immune-related response criteria served as the primary end point.Results: The 6-month disease control rate was 51% (95% CI, 36% to 67%), and the overall tumor response rate was 38% (including eight complete and seven partial responses). Seven complete responses and one partial tumor response are ongoing after a median follow-up time of 36 months (range, 22 to 43 months). The most common treatment-related adverse events (all grades) consisted of local DC injection site skin reactions (100%), transient post–DC infusion chills (38%) and flu-like symptoms (84%), dermatitis (64%), hepatitis (13%), hypophysitis (15%), and diarrhea/colitis (15%). Grade 3 or 4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 36% of patients. There was no grade 5 adverse event.Conclusion: The combination of TriMixDC-MEL and ipilimumab is tolerable and results in an encouraging rate of highly durable tumor responses in patients with pretreated advanced melanoma.

Human Treg and Th clones secrete the latent form of TGF‐β, in which the mature TGF‐β protein is bound to the latency‐associated peptide (LAP), and is thereby prevented from binding to the TGF‐β receptor. We previously showed that upon TCR stimulation, human Treg clones but not Th clones produce active TGF‐β and bear LAP on their surface. Here, we show that latent TGF‐β, i.e. both LAP and mature TGF‐β, binds to glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP), a transmembrane protein containing leucine rich repeats, which is present on the surface of stimulated Treg clones but not on Th clones. Membrane localization of latent TGF‐β mediated by binding to GARP may be necessary for the ability of Treg to activate TGF‐β upon TCR stimulation. However, it is not sufficient as lentiviral‐mediated expression of GARP in human Th cells induces binding of latent TGF‐β to the cell surface, but does not result in the production of active TGF‐β upon stimulation of these Th cells.

Representational difference analysis was used to identify genes that are expressed in a human melanoma cell line and not in normal skin. A cDNA clone that appeared to be specific for tumors was obtained and the corresponding gene was sequenced. This new gene was named LAGE‐1. Using a LAGE‐1 probe to screen a cDNA library from the same melanoma cell line, we identified a closely related gene, which proved to be identical to NY‐ESO‐1, a gene recently reported to code for an antigen recognized by autologous antibodies in an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Gene LAGE‐1 maps to Xq28. It comprises 3 exons. Alternative splicing produces 2 major transcripts encoding polypeptides of 210 and 180 residues, respectively. Expression of LAGE‐1 was observed in 25–50% of tumor samples of melanomas, non‐small‐cell lung carcinomas, bladder, prostate and head and neck cancers. The only normal tissue that expressed the gene was testis. As for MAGE‐A1, expression of LAGE‐1 is induced by deoxy‐azacytidine in lymphoblastoid cells, suggesting that tumoral expression is due to demethylation. The expression of LAGE‐1 is strongly correlated with that of NY‐ESO‐1. It is also clearly correlated with the expression of MAGE genes. Int. J. Cancer 76:903–908, 1998.