T-cell receptor gene therapy for human papillomavirus-positive cancers

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

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Abstract

We have isolated a high-affinity HLA-A2-restricted TCR against the HPV-16 E6 oncoprotein. This was accomplished by identifying from the metastatic tumor of a patient with anal cancer a T cell clone against the E6 29-38. The gene sequence of the TCR expressed by this clone was determined, and a retroviral expression vector encoding the TCR was generated. T cells transduced to express this TCR display high-avidity for the HPV-16 E6 29-38 epitope as well as specific recognition of HPV-16-positive tumor lines. A clinical trial testing adoptive transfer of autologous T cells transduced to express this TCR for the treatment of HPV-positive cancers is active. We are studying other receptors targeting various epitopes of HPV -16 and HPV-18 E6 and E7, also for use in clinical trials.