IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-MHC-II-restricted neoantigen expression drives tumor infiltration, activation, and maintenance of nonspecific T cells in lung cancer

MHC-II-restricted neoantigen expression drives tumor infiltration, activation, and maintenance of nonspecific T cells in lung cancer

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The speaker described how neoantigen-specific T cells may shape broader, non-neoantigen-specific “passenger” T-cell responses inside tumors. Using a KP mouse lung cancer model, the team engineered an MHC class II neoantigen (mutant ITGB1). Surprisingly, tumors expressing this neoantigen formed earlier and grew faster, while attracting many more CD4, CD8, and regulatory T cells. However, only a small fraction of these cells recognized the neoantigen directly.  <br /><br />Further experiments showed that many passenger T cells in neoantigen-positive tumors were retained longer, localized in B-cell aggregates, expressed PD-1, and included expanded clones with stem-like or memory-like features. Some may support tumor growth early, while others may participate in anti-tumor immunity later. Preliminary anti-PD-1 experiments suggested neoantigen-positive tumors may be more therapy-responsive. Overall, neoantigen expression appears to reshape the tumor immune ecosystem in both pro- and anti-tumor ways.

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Date April 18, 2026 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Room 104AB

Session Regulating Adaptive Responses

Speaker David Klawon

Track Lymphocyte Differentiation and Peripheral Maintenance (LYM)

Year 2026

Keywords

neoantigen-specific T cells

tumor immune microenvironment

passenger T-cell responses

MHC class II neoantigen

PD-1 therapy response

KP mouse lung cancer model

April 18, 2026 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM

104AB

Regulating Adaptive Responses

David Klawon

Lymphocyte Differentiation and Peripheral Maintenance (LYM)

2026