Journal Article

DKFZ-2025-02068

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Exceptional tumor-free survival of a patient with metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after surgery and personalized peptide vaccination: revisiting a striking case.

Maia, A. ; Schuhmacher, J. ; Nadalin, S. ; Königsrainer, A. ; Thiel, K. ; Nelde, A. ; Zinser, R. S. ; Schroeder, C.DKFZ* ; Mattern, S. ; Singer, S. ; Bösmüller, H. ; Rammensee, H.-G.DKFZ* ; Löffler, M. W.DKFZ* ; Gouttefangeas, C.DKFZ*

2025
BioMed Central London

Abstract: Cholangiocarcinomas are rare but aggressive liver tumors of high lethality with scarce treatment options. Here we report on the follow-up of a patient diagnosed with an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who experienced repeated tumor recurrences including distant metastasis, therefore facing a dismal prognosis. At present, this patient is tumor-free for more than 8 years following repeated surgery and application of two successive personalized vaccines. In-depth functional immune cell analyses revealed a dominant CD4+ T-cell response against the vaccine antigens with infiltration of the tumor site and immune responses prevailing for years following the last vaccine administration. Additionally, spontaneous tumor neoantigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses have been detected, which might have contributed to the outstanding outcome witnessed in this patient. This case report highlights vaccination strategies targeting non-mutated antigens as well as the increasingly recognized central role of antitumor CD4+ T cells.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; Cholangiocarcinoma: therapy (MeSH) ; Cholangiocarcinoma: pathology (MeSH) ; Cholangiocarcinoma: immunology (MeSH) ; Cholangiocarcinoma: surgery (MeSH) ; Bile Duct Neoplasms: therapy (MeSH) ; Bile Duct Neoplasms: pathology (MeSH) ; Bile Duct Neoplasms: immunology (MeSH) ; Cancer Vaccines: therapeutic use (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Precision Medicine: methods (MeSH) ; Vaccines, Subunit: therapeutic use (MeSH) ; Disease-Free Survival (MeSH) ; CD4+T cells ; cancer vaccine ; case report ; metastatic cholangiocarcinoma ; Cancer Vaccines ; Vaccines, Subunit

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Tübingen (TU01)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; DOAJ Seal ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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