Autoantibody Production in Cancer—The Humoral Immune Response toward Autologous Antigens in Cancer Patients

Abstract

A link between autoimmune responses and cancer via autoantibodies was first described in the 1950s. Since, autoantibodies have been studied for their potential use as cancer biomarkers, however the exact causes of their production remain to be elucidated. This review summarizes current theories of the causes of autoantibody production in cancer, namely: 1) defects in tolerance and inflammation, 2) changes in protein expression levels, 3) altered protein structure, and 4) cellular death mechanisms. We also highlight the need for further research into this field to improve our understanding of autoantibodies as biomarkers for cancer development and progression.

Cancer Self-Defense: An Immune Stealth

“…Immune regulation and surveillance play an imperative role in early attempts of cancer prevention by the host. This is evident by the presence of endogenous anticancer-associated antibodies, that is, autoantibodies (AAb), which occur as a result of immunosurveillance by which the immune system recognizes and destroys normal cells that have transitioned to malignancy (1). Because of their specificity and stability in the sera, AAbs are regarded as early and sensitive serologic biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer and may serve as a potential means of identifying and tracking (1, 2).…”

“…This is evident by the presence of endogenous anticancer-associated antibodies, that is, autoantibodies (AAb), which occur as a result of immunosurveillance by which the immune system recognizes and destroys normal cells that have transitioned to malignancy (1). Because of their specificity and stability in the sera, AAbs are regarded as early and sensitive serologic biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer and may serve as a potential means of identifying and tracking (1, 2). However, despite their presence, cancers do develop and progress, and the possible beneficial role of AABs to the patients’ clinical outcome is still unsettled and seems to differ among cancer types and AAb specificity.…”

A protein fragment derived from DNA-topoisomerase I as a novel tumour-associated antigen for the detection of early stage carcinoma

“…It has been proposed that antibody-TAA binding may represent the end stage of the mechanism to initiate the destruction of cancer cells containing corresponding antigens by labelling the antigens for faster macrophage recognition and phagocytosis (Zaenker et al , 2016). Direct binding of antibodies to the antigens can also block receptors associated with tumour cell proliferation and survival (Zaenker et al , 2016).…”

“…Direct binding of antibodies to the antigens can also block receptors associated with tumour cell proliferation and survival (Zaenker et al , 2016). Autoantibodies can drive antigen uptake via dendritic cell Fc gamma receptors, lead to antigen cross-presentation and vigorous CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, and complement dependent cytotoxicity and natural killer cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (Carter, 2001).…”

Phage Display Libraries in Sequelization of Autoantibody Signature Analyses in Cancer Immunomics

“…For various types of cancer, it has been established or suggested that circulating immunoglobulins from the sera of cancer patients contain a repertoire of antibodies elicited against the tumor [1]. Interest of researchers toward this topic has been ignited partly by the findings that production of autoantibodies against tumor-associated antigens may precede clinical confirmation of tumors by several months or years [1]. Beyond their potential usefulness for cancer diagnosis, autoantibody signatures may show usefulness in occasions where a fine discriminatory power is required, such as inference of cancer stages.…”