Development of a Vaccine Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway plays an important role in breast cancer growth and metastasis. The IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) is over-expressed in almost 50% of triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) and is associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance. Thus, therapeutically targeting tumor cells which have upregulated IGF-IR may be a promising approach to treat TNBC. We report that IGF-IR is immunogenic. No toxicities were associated with vaccination targeting IGFIR. Through vaccination, high levels of IGF-IR-specific Th1 could be generated which elicited IFN-g-dependent breast cancer inhibition. SOCS1, upregulated by IFN-g, bound IGF-IR. This interaction inhibited receptor signaling, modulated additional oncogenic proteins, and increased PTEN expression. Oncogenic shock, induced by immunization, restored sensitivity to Tamoxifen therapy in mice refractory to treatment. Cytokine-mediated oncogenic shock may be a mechanism by which cancer vaccines, or other immunotherapies, improve response to subsequent standard treatments resulting in a survival benefit in cancer patients treated with immune modulatory approaches.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA592218

Entities

People

  • Denise Cecil

Organizations

  • Seattle University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Cytokines
  • Growth Factors
  • Immunity
  • Immunization
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Lymphatic System
  • Lymphocytes
  • Neoplasms
  • Resistance
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech