Hodgkin's tumor antigens

Hodgkin's tumor antigens refer to a heterogeneous group of molecular markers and surface proteins expressed by Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, the defining malignant cells of Hodgkin lymphoma. The most prominent and clinically significant member of this group is CD30 (Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 8), which serves as a definitive diagnostic marker and a primary therapeutic target. Other important antigens include CD15 (a carbohydrate adhesion molecule), CD25 (Interleukin-2 receptor subunit alpha), CD70, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), the latter of which plays a crucial role in tumor immune evasion. These antigens are essential for the biological behavior of the tumor, influencing cell survival, proliferation, and the recruitment of a supportive inflammatory microenvironment. In clinical practice, these antigens are exploited for targeted therapy. For instance, brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate that specifically targets CD30 to deliver a cytotoxic payload directly to HRS cells. The high expression of PD-L1 on these cells also makes Hodgkin lymphoma particularly sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab, which block the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction to restore anti-tumor T-cell activity. Furthermore, experimental immunotherapy approaches, such as the KGEL vaccine, utilize a broad spectrum of Hodgkin's tumor antigens to stimulate a multi-targeted immune response in patients with relapsed or refractory disease.

Other names

Hodgkin lymphoma antigensHodgkin's disease-associated antigensHRS cell antigensKi-1 antigenHodgkin's disease antigens

Antigen-targeted cytotoxicity via antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), blockade of immune checkpoints to enhance T-cell activity, and induction of antigen-specific immune responses through therapeutic vaccination.