Molecular mimicry as a driver of T cell-mediated tumour immunity

Recently, a large pool of antigens derived from viral and bacterial microorganisms showing molecular mimicry with tumour-cell-expressed antigens was identified. These antigens can be presented by MHC molecules and elicit T cells that are crossreactive with microbial antigens and tumour-cell-associated antigens. In the setting of metastatic melanoma, such T cells can contribute to the response induced by immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Here, the current understanding of molecular mimicry in T cell-mediated tumour immunity and how this might be exploited for developing new preventive and therapeutic approaches for cancer is described. In particular, the literature on the concept and evidence of molecular mimicry in cancer is reviewed, covering the whole translational spectrum, from the antigen discovery strategy to the clinical evaluation.