The cyclins: a family of widely expressed tumor antigens?

Abstract

Continuous cell division is a hallmark of cancer and cell-cycle regulators therefore represent relevant target molecules for tumor therapy. Among these targets the cyclins are of particular interest as they are overexpressed in various tumor entities with little expression in normal tissue. Here we review evidence that these molecules are recognized by the immune system, summarize why cyclins A, B and D in particular appear to be interesting targets for active and passive immunotherapy, and discuss whether the entire family could be an interesting novel class of tumor antigens for cancer treatment and prevention.

Keywords::

• active immunotherapy
• cyclin
• T-cell epitopes
• tumor antigens

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Supported by a Max Eder Junior Research Grant from the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) by the Else Kröner Fresenius-Foundation. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.