The interaction between T lymphocytes and the Ag-HLA complex on tumor cells is mediated by the TCR. The diversity and the specificity of the TCR are in part secondary to the gene rearrangement of the V region on the beta-chain (V beta). To determine whether a restricted number of TCR V beta genes are utilized in the recognition of ovarian cancer, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were isolated from six consecutive untreated ovarian cancer patients. TIL were also cultured using repeated autologous tumor stimulation, and by 7 wk, five of six patients produced bulk cultures consisting of > 50% CD8+ T cells and demonstrating an autologous tumor-specific pattern of cytotoxicity. TCR V beta gene usage was analyzed in the five patients yielding fresh TIL and corresponding 7-wk cultured, tumor-specific TIL; 22 primers specific for 20 TCR V beta gene families were employed and amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then quantitated by HPLC. A heterogeneous pattern of V beta usage was seen in the fresh TIL; however, V beta 2, V beta 3, V beta 6, V beta 7, V beta 8, and V beta 13.1 were found in increased proportions in at least three of five patients. In the 7-wk tumor-specific TIL, V beta analysis showed an increased usage of V beta 2, V beta 3, V beta 6, and V beta 7 in more than three of five patients. No significant change in V beta representation was seen in control populations that were not stimulated with tumor. Looking at the percent change in V beta usage between fresh and 7-wk tumor-specific cultures, V beta 2 and V beta 6 were augmented significantly in at least three of five patients (108% and 61%, respectively). To verify that the increase in representation of these V beta families was responsible for the increased cytotoxicity observed, mAb specific for V beta 2 and V beta 6 were used to block tumor lysis. Anti-V beta 6 and anti-V beta 2 significantly blocked cytotoxicity against autologous tumor cells in those TIL populations expressing increased levels of these V beta families. These data suggest that a selective repertoire of TCR V beta genes is used to recognize the Ag-HLA class 1 complexes on the surface of ovarian tumor cells, and specifically V beta 2 and V beta 6 appear to mediate antitumor activity. These findings may aid in the development of a more specific immunotherapy in ovarian cancer.