Identification of a gene encoding a tumor-specific antigen that causes tumor rejection.

Abstract

Transplantation experiments have clearly demonstrated the existence of unique (individual) tumor-specific antigens on cancers induced by physical or chemical carcinogens. These antigens often induce a tumor-specific immune response upon immunization with a tumor which protects the host against a subsequent challenge with the same tumor, but not against a challenge with any other independently induced tumor [1]. Unique antigens were observed even when the tumors were induced with the same carcinogen in the same organ system in the same strain of mice [2]. This finding of unique tumor specificity raises questions about the mechanism by which these tumorspecific antigens are generated. The critical questions regarding such unique tumor-specific antigens are their composition, genetic origin, and possible role as target antigens for the immune system.KeywordsTumor RejectionCific AntigenAntigen Loss VariantAntibody CP28Autochthonous HostThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.