Immunotherapeutic Strategies in Breast Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Trials

Abstract

This project is focused on novel tumor vaccines directed at MUC1 and other tumor antigens. The authors' specific aims are as follows: (1) to assess the effectiveness of vaccines against MUC1 and other tumor antigens in the prevention and treatment of spontaneous breast carcinomas in mice, and (2) to translate an effective vaccine strategy into a phase I clinical trial in patients with undetectable disease following standard therapy. The model of spontaneous mammary cancer is the MUC1-expressing polyoma middle T antigen mice (MMT). The authors have tested five vaccines in the preclinical mouse model: (1) liposomal MUC1 tandem repeat peptide, (2) dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with tumor lysate, (3) DCs fused to MMT tumor cells, (4) adoptive transfer of MUC1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) with CD137 co-stimulation, and (5) MUC1 peptides with CpG ODN and GM-CSF as adjuvants. Results show that all the vaccines elicited a strong immunological response. Adoptive transfer of MUC1-specific CTLs with co-stimulation (CD137 mAb) significantly reduced tumor burden and tolerance in MMT mice. The peptide vaccine prevented MUC1-expressing tumor growth. The clinical trial is in the final stages of review. It is a phase I trial testing MUC1 and HER-2/neu class I and class II peptides with CpG ODN and GM-CSF adjuvants in breast cancer patients free of disease.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA435278

Entities

People

  • Sandra J. Gendler

Organizations

  • Mayo Clinic Scottsdale

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Lymphocytes
  • Medical Personnel
  • Oncology
  • Vaccines

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Immunology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech