Tumor rejection after direct costimulation of CD8+ T cells by B7-transfected melanoma cells.

A variety of tumors are potentially immunogenic but do not stimulate an effective anti-tumor immune response in vivo. Tumors may be capable of delivering antigen-specific signals to T cells, but may not deliver the costimulatory signals necessary for full activation of T cells. Expression of the costimulatory ligand B7 on melanoma cells was found to induce the rejection of a murine melanoma in vivo. This rejection was mediated by CD8+ T cells; CD4+ T cells were not required. These results suggest that B7 expression renders tumor cells capable of effective antigen presentation, leading to their eradication in vivo.