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Targeting Alloreactive Donor T-Cells to Hematopoietic System-Restricted Minor Histocompatibility Antigens to Dissect Graft-versus-Leukemia Effects from Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

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Abstract

The graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect of HLA-identical allogeneic stem cell transplantation is mainly mediated by alloreactive T-cells directed at the minor histocompatibility antigens (H ags) expressed on the leukemic cells of the recipient. Minor H ags are major histocompatibility complex-bound polymorphic peptides that are derived from intracellular proteins and that can show ubiquitous or hematopoietic system-restricted expression. Whereas ubiquitous minor H ags are involved both in the GVL effect and in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), hematopoietic system-specific minor H ags expressed on leukemic cells are considered important targets for leukemia-specific cellular immunotherapy with a low risk of GVHD. This review will summarize the current knowledge of the immunobiology of minor H ags and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of cellular immunotherapy strategies that aim to separate the GVL effect from GVHD by targeting donor T-cells to hematopoietic system-specific minor H ags.

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  1. Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, G.03.647, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Tuna Mutis

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  1. Tuna Mutis
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Mutis, T. Targeting Alloreactive Donor T-Cells to Hematopoietic System-Restricted Minor Histocompatibility Antigens to Dissect Graft-versus-Leukemia Effects from Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Int J Hematol 78, 208–212 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02983796

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