Limited Induction of Tumor Cross-Reactive T Cells without a Measurable Clinical Benefit in Early Melanoma Patients Vaccinated with Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I–Modified Peptides

Abstract

Adjuvant setting is an appealing approach for testing cancer vaccines because specific CD8(+) T cells can be efficiently induced in most vaccinated patients. However, the marginal antitumor activity of the T cells induced by modified peptides in this study largely accounts for the observed lack of benefit of vaccination. These findings suggest reconsidering this immunization strategy, particularly in early disease.