Active Immunization Using a Peptide Mimic of a Carbohydrate Tumor Antigen
Abstract
Thomsen-Friedenreich Antigen (TF-Ag) is a carbohydrate adenocarcinoma-associated antigen. TF-Ag expression contributes to breast cancer cell adhesion and metastasis. Antibody to TF-Ag developed in our lab blocks metastatic interactions and improves survival in a mouse metastatic breast cancer model. Immunizations with peptide mimics of carbohydrate antigens have been shown by others to create immune responses to the carbohydrates. Our hypothesis is that vaccinations using peptide mimics of TF-Ag will generate immune responses to TF-Ag on tumor cells which will be useful in active immunotherapy of cancer. To characterize the ability of the peptide to mimic TF-Ag, in vitro studies including immunoblotting, inhibition ELISA, and Biacore analysis were performed and all exhibited successful mimicking. An in vitro metastasis model showed significant inhibition of cancer cell adhesion using the peptide mimics. In in vivo studies, peptide mimics were used to immunize rabbits and mice, and serum was analyzed for TF-Ag antibodies. Initial vaccinations did not yield antibodies reactive to TF-Ag, therefore improvements will be made to the immunization protocol. X-ray crystallography and computer modeling will be utilized to generate better peptide mimics. This research can be clinically applied to decrease tumor burdens and improve current therapeutic regimes for breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA434101
Entities
People
- Jamie Heimburg
- Kate Rittenhouse-olson
Organizations
- University at Buffalo