Many immunotherapeutic approaches under development rely on T-cell recognition of cancer-derived peptides bound to human leukocyte antigen molecules on the cell surface. Direct experimental demonstration that such peptides are processed and bound is currently challenging. Here, we describe a method that meets this challenge. The method entailed an optimized immunoprecipitation protocol coupled with twodimensional chromatography and mass spectrometry. The ability to detect and quantify minute amounts of predefined antigens should be useful both for basic research in tumor immunology and for the development of rationally designed cancer vaccines.

No abstract

Background: Sufficient epidemiologic evidence shows an etiologic link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure and lung cancer risk. While the genetic modifications have been found in PAH-exposed population, it is unclear whether gene-specific methylation involves in the process of PAHassociated biologic consequence.Methods: Sixty-nine PAH-exposed workers and 59 control subjects were recruited. Using bisulfite sequencing, we examined the methylation status of p16INK4a promoter in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from