Tumour Associated Antigens - Essay Example

The antigens are expressed in different categories depending on the gene mutation of proteins in the Tumour cells. These categories define the classes of tumour-Associated antigens, which are Unique Tumour Antigens, Cancer Testis Antigens, Differentiation Antigens, and overexpressed Antigens in relation to T-cells antigens in cancer (Gires & Seliger 2009).

Unique Tumour Antigens are specific antigens in the tumor cells recognized by CD4 + and CD8+ T cells as a result of gene mutation and fusion of proteins (Gires & Seliger 2009). These tumor antigens have specific expressions to the tumor cells from which the proteins are altered thus only a few are shared in different T-cells. Unlike Unique Tumour Antigens, Cancer Testis antigens go through additional mutations that bring about a restricted expression on cancer cells. These antigens encompass a group of antigens recognized by CD4 + and CD8+ T cells and they are basically antibody targets (Gires & Seliger 2009).

Differentiation Antigens are characterized by malignant cells associated with cluster differentiation that are not particularly tumor-related. They are directed towards specific antibodies in the same lineage rather than normal body cells (Gires & Seliger 2009). Over-expressed antigens are associated with antigens expressed on the cell type from which the tumor developed. They are quite extensive in the normal cells though they are highly distributed in the tumor cells (Gires & Seliger 2009).

 According to Crowley (2011), the human immune system has developed to deal with tumor-causing cells on cancer cell surfaces. For example, Cytotoxic T-cells detect antigens on Tumour cells, which can lead to cell damage when Cytotoxic T-cells secrets negative cytokines that destroy normal cells (Crowley 2011). Immunotherapy uses the same kind of approach since it kills small metastatic cells hence creating adaptive immunity when the antigens get to the body (Miermont 2008). Antigen-specific T- cells are introduced in the body through vaccines where Lymphocytes create a hormonal immune response by being activated to eliminate Tumour Associated antigens immediately they recognize invading antigens (Nagorsen & Marincola 2005).  

Tumour- Associated Antigens are helpful when it comes to human cancer management. The importance of these types of antigens is dependent on the type of cancer and the level at which it has been realized. It has been realized that tumor-associated antigens are very attractive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to human cancer (UICC 2003). When applied especially when the cancer symptoms are not conspicuous, it can assist in revealing the areas affected by cancer cells. For example, Hodge, Grosenbach & Schlom (2002), expresses an experiment where they introduce vectors (antigens) in the body of a patient in form of a vaccine. These experiments are done using different antigens as a source of the signal. The introduction of the antigens helped create immunity since it identified the specific areas affected. With the introduction of antigens in different capacities, the immunity went on growing with each vaccine administered.  

According to Kumar (2012), cancer can be successfully treated by a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Having knowledge about tumor-associated antigens can assist a patient to know the right combination for his particular diagnosis. This is because not all body tissues express tumor-associated antigens. Gerson (2002), states that in ideal circumstances tumors are the only body tissues that express tumor-associated antigens. Therefore, this kind of antigens can help to distinguish between tumors and other body tissues and can be used to indicate the number of tumors in body tissue. These cannot only be helpful in revealing cancer but also to measure the degree and the stage of the disease thus assisting the understanding of factors influencing cancer growth (Smith, Wigmore & Irving 2011).

Clinical trials are studies done to respond to specific questions on the effects of a specific diagnosis of a given disease on a group of patients (Walter 2004). Several studies undertaken concerning the tumor-associated antigens indicate that lymphocytes isolated from a particular cancer patient correspond to multiple tumor antigens of different subclasses (Gires & Seliger 2009). This shows that understanding these types of antigens can greatly assist in understanding the level of cancer in a cancer patient thus assisting in managing the disease. Understanding these types of antigens can help one analyze the changes in tumor-associated antigens occurring after a certain combination of treatments has been administered.