DNA Vaccination Against Metastatic Breast Cancer
Abstract
RER2/neu over-expression is found in 30-40% of breast cancer biopsy and is indicative of metastasis and poor prognosis. A DNA vaccine targeting HER2/neu could have significant therapeutic and preventative application by controlling the growth and spread of highly aggressive HER2/neu+ cells. Although DNA vaccines have shown effectiveness in clinical trials, it is essential to demonstrate pre-clinical effectiveness for anti-tumor DNA vaccines before clinical testing can begin. We have shown that vaccination of mice with a novel plasmid expressing the DNA sequence for HER2/neu protected mice from tumor incidence when challenged with a HER2/neu+ murine breast tumor cell line injected directly into mammary tissue or injected intravenously. In the past year we have switched to an improved version of our DNA vaccine and the results have been even better. We have also confirmed that vaccination can reduce tumor incidence and prolong survival in mice containing neu as a transgene under the control of a breast-specific promoter, demonstrating that our vaccine works with both naturally occurring and transplanted neu+ breast tumors. We are continuing our work to determine if vaccination following surgical-removal of the initial tumor will prolong survival.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADB272842
Entities
People
- Lawrence Lachman
Organizations
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center