Targeting Mutated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
Abstract
During this four-year funding period we have established a rat model of active specific immunotherapy against mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-RvIII) specifically expressed by breast carcinomas. The mutation is not expressed by normal breast tissues. The model system consists of rat mammary carcinomas expressing EGF-RvIII after cDNA transfer and EGF-RvIII vaccines, including recombinant EGF-RvIII protein, EGF-RvIII expressed in adenovirus vector and peptides mimicking EGF-RvIII. Expression of EGF-RvIII by the transfected rat mammary carcinoma cells was instable due to vector mutations. The corrected vector should be able to transfer stable EGF-RvIII expression in the cells, which will allow us to test the available vaccines for their tumor growth inhibiting properties in future studies. We have also evaluated breast cancer patients' immune responses to EGF-RvIII. Most patients with EUF-RvIII-positive lesions had circulating antibodies, and a few patients also EGF-RvIII specific lymphoproliferative responses. These responses may be beneficial to the patients, and this issue will be addressed in future studies in a larger population of patients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADB264648
Entities
People
- Dorothee Herlyn
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania