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Updated: Sep 23, 2026
Detection of Human Leukocyte Antigen Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Utilizing Label-free Biosensor Technology
Published on: March 24, 2015
Identification of tumor-associated antigens by screening phage-displayed human cDNA libraries with sera from tumor
Olga Minenkova1, Andrea Pucci1, Emiliano Pavoni1
1Kenton Labs, c/o Sigma Tau, Pomezia (Roma), Italy.
Abstract:
Screening cDNA libraries from solid human tumors with sera of autologous patients (SEREX) has proven to be a powerful approach to identifying tumor antigens recognized by the humoral arm of the immune system. In many cases, application of this methodology has led to the discovery of novel tumor antigens as unknown gene products. We tried to improve the potency of the SEREX approach by combining it with phage-display technology. We designed a new lambda vector to express protein fragments as N-terminal fusions to the D capsid protein and generated high-complexity cDNA libraries from human breast carcinoma cell lines and solid tumors. Screening these phage-displayed libraries required limited amounts of sera from patients and efficiently identified several tumor antigens specifically reacting with sera from breast cancer patients.
Insights
This study enhances tumor antigen discovery by combining SEREX with phage display technology. This improved method efficiently identifies novel breast cancer antigens using minimal patient sera.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The Serological identification of antigens by Recombinant Expression (SEREX) is a key method for identifying tumor antigens recognized by the immune system.
- Previous SEREX applications have discovered novel tumor antigens but require optimization for efficiency and reduced sample input.
- Combining SEREX with phage display technology offers a promising avenue for enhancing antigen discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the potency and efficiency of the SEREX approach for identifying tumor antigens.
- To develop a novel phage display system for generating and screening high-complexity cDNA libraries from human tumors.
- To identify novel tumor antigens specifically recognized by the sera of breast cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Development of a new lambda vector for expressing protein fragments fused to the D capsid protein.
- Generation of high-complexity cDNA libraries from human breast carcinoma cell lines and solid tumors.
- Screening of phage-displayed libraries using sera from autologous patients.
Main Results:
- The combined SEREX and phage display approach successfully identified several tumor antigens.
- The method requires significantly less patient sera compared to traditional SEREX.
- Identified antigens showed specific reactivity with sera from breast cancer patients, indicating their relevance.
Conclusions:
- The integration of phage display technology significantly enhances the SEREX approach for tumor antigen discovery.
- This optimized method is efficient and requires minimal patient samples, making it valuable for cancer research.
- The identified antigens represent potential targets for future breast cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
