Tumor-Mediated Suppression of Dendritic Cell Vaccines
Abstract
Failure to control the growth of cancer has been attributed in part to production of several factors that interfere with the ability of the immune system to mobilize an effective anti-tumor response. One of these factors is Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta). TGF-beta is produced in large quantities by different types of cancer including breast cancer and inhibits the actions of several immune cells including dendritic cells (DC) - DCs play a pivotal in stimulating an effective immune response against tumors and have therefore been exploited as cancer vaccines. Although it has been shown in the test tube that TGF-beta prevents DC from becoming functionally mature and interferes with DC ability to stimulate T lymphocytes, not much is known about the impact of tumor-derived TGF-beta on DC vaccines in breast cancer treatment. The goal of our project is to improve the effectiveness of DC vaccines by rendering them resistant to the suppressive actions of tumor-secreted TGF-beta. The Specific Aims are to: 1) determine the effect of TGF-beta on antigen presentation and in vivo migration of DC, 2) evaluate the impact of tumor-derived TGF-(3 on DC vaccines, 3) block TGF-beta-induced signals in order to protect DC from the deleterious effects of TGF-beta.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428247
Entities
People
- Emmanuel T. Akporiaye
Organizations
- University of Arizona