Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the novel approach for targeting malignant glioma. Methods: Interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL-13Rα2)-specific cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs) were induced from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive healthy donors by multiple stimulations with artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) made by coating HLA-A2-Ig/pIL-13Rα2345–354 dimeric complexes, anti-CD28 antibody, and CD83 molecules to cell-sized latex beads. Results: The induced CTLs exhibited a specific lysis against T2 cells pulsed with the peptide pIL-13Rα2345–354 and HLA-A2+ glioma cells expressing IL-13Rα2345–354, while HLA-A2− glioma cell lines that express IL-13Rα2345–354 could not be recognized by the CTLs. The peptide-specific activity was inhibited by the anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibody. Conclusions: The induced CTLs specific for the IL-13Rα2345–354 peptide could be a potential target of specific immunotherapy for HLA-A2+ patients with malignant glioma.
