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Open Access 01-01-2009 | Short Communication

Vaccine-specific local T cell reactivity in immunotherapy-associated vitiligo in melanoma patients

Authors: Joannes F. M. Jacobs, Erik H. J. G. Aarntzen, Lenny A. G. Sibelt, Willeke A. Blokx, Anna C. I. Boullart, Marie-Jeanne Gerritsen, Peter M. Hoogerbrugge, Carl G. Figdor, Gosse J. Adema, Cornelis J. A. Punt, I. Jolanda M. de Vries

Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

The occurrence of vitiligo in patients with melanoma is especially reported for patients undergoing immunotherapy. While vitiligo in these patients is thought to be related to an immune response directed against melanoma cells, solid evidence is lacking. Here we report local cytotoxic T cell reactivity in three melanoma patients who developed vitiligo, after experimental immunotherapy using dendritic cell vaccinations. Tetramer analysis showed that vaccine-induced T cells recognizing gp100 and tyrosinase are present at the vitiligo lesions. These T cells secrete IFN-γ and IL-2 upon peptide specific stimulation as well as upon recognition of the autologous tumor. We show that functional CD8⁺ T cells specific for melanoma differentiation antigens used in a melanoma immunotherapy trial, do not only invade the tumor, but also the vitiligo lesions. This directly links vitiligo to the immuno-therapeutic intervention and supports the hypothesis that vitiligo is a marker of immunity against melanoma cells.

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Title: Vaccine-specific local T cell reactivity in immunotherapy-associated vitiligo in melanoma patients
Authors: Joannes F. M. Jacobs
Erik H. J. G. Aarntzen
Lenny A. G. Sibelt
Willeke A. Blokx
Anna C. I. Boullart
Marie-Jeanne Gerritsen
Peter M. Hoogerbrugge
Carl G. Figdor
Gosse J. Adema
Cornelis J. A. Punt
I. Jolanda M. de Vries
Publication date: 01-01-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-7004
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-008-0506-5

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