Evaluation of Listeria monocytogenes Based Vaccines for HER-2/Neu in Mouse Transgenic Models of Breast Cancer
Abstract
HER-2/neu is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family and is overexpressed in several cancers including breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. Patients with HER-2/neu overexpressing tumors are capable of mounting an immune response against their tumors, but this response is not enough to stop the growth and spread of the tumors. Our lab has developed Listeria monocytogenes as a vector to deliver cancer antigens to the host cell to elicit a tumor specific immune response. Overlapping fragments of rat HER. 2/neu have been expressed in recombinant Listeria monocytogenes. Using a transplantable tumor model developed for the FVB mouse, the five Lm- based HER-2/neu vaccines are being tested. Upon immunization with any of the vaccines, growth of established tumors is stopped and the size remains stable following 2 boosts. Tumors begin to decrease in size 3-4 weeks after the last boost and 40-50% of the mice regress their tumors. Each vaccine is capable of eliciting an anti-tumor response of the same magnitude as the vaccine containing the known T cell epitope, and this leads to the conclusion that there are multiple epitopes that have not been identified and work is beginning to map these epitopes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435097
Entities
People
- Reshma Singh
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania