Stimulation through very late antigen-4 and -5 improves the multifunctionality and memory formation of CD8⁺ T cells.

T cells express multiple integrin molecules. The significance of signaling through these molecules on acquisition of T-cell effector functions and memory formation capacity remains largely unknown. Moreover, the impact of stimulation through these signals on the generation of T cells for adoptive immunotherapy has not been elucidated.

T-cell receptor gene therapy targeting melanoma-associated antigen-A4 inhibits human tumor growth in non-obese diabetic/SCID/γcnull mice.

Adoptive cell therapy with lymphocytes that have been genetically engineered to express tumor-reactive T-cell receptors (TCR) is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. We have been exploring the development of TCR gene therapy targeting cancer/testis antigens, including melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family antigens, that are ideal targets for adoptive T-cell therapy. The efficacy of TCR gene therapy targeting MAGE family antigens, however, has not yet been evaluated in vivo.