BCR-ABL fusion peptides and cytotoxic T cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia

The BCR-ABL gene that arises in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a neoantigen. Peptides derived from the BCR-ABL fusion junction may therefore be immunogenic, if appropriately presented to the immune system. This article reviews data demonstrating that certain junctional peptides will bind to HLA molecules, and that these peptides will elicit specific T-lymphocyte responses in vitro, in both normal subjects and in CML patients. The clinical relevance of these observations is discussed.