TCR-MHC/peptide interaction: prospects for new anti-tumoral agents.

Tumor-related antigens can be presented as peptides forming complexes with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that interact with T-cell receptors, thus generating an immunologic anti-tumor response. Unfortunately, however, this response can be decreased by many effectors and pathways. On the other hand, such peptide-MHC complexes are unique starting points for therapeutic intervention. We present strategies for eliciting an anti-tumoral response by T-cell receptor-based fusion proteins with interleukin (IL)2 and antibody constant region domains, superantigens, and T-cell recruiting antibodies, as well as using genetically modified autologous T-cells as effectors. Another strategy is to direct peptide-MHC complexes to tumors as fusion proteins with an antibody-derived targeting moiety. Finally, we describe T-cell receptor-mimicking antibodies and antibody conjugates as anti tumoral agents.