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An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses
Published on: November 28, 2010
OY-TES-1 expression and serum immunoreactivity in epithelial ovarian cancer
Jonathan Tammela1, Akiko Uenaka, Toshiro Ono
1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Abstract:
OY-TES-1 is a novel target that belongs to the family of 'cancer/testis' (CT) antigens. Our goal was to examine the expression and immunogenicity of OY-TES-1 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to determine its potential as a target for vaccine therapy. OY-TES-1 expression was determined by one-step reverse transcriptase PCR on 100 EOC samples, 5 EOC cell lines, and a panel of normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on the same panel of EOC tissues. Sera from a sub-group of patients were tested for OY-TES-1 antibody by ELISA. Thymus and leukocytes were weakly positive for OY-TES-1 while the remaining 5 normal tissues were negative. Expression of OY-TES-1 by either RT-PCR and/or IHC was demonstrable in 69/100 (69%) tumors. Humoral immunity to OY-TES-1 was demonstrated in 1/10 (10%) serum samples from patients whose tumors expressed the antigen. The median follow-up of the patient population was 34 months. There was no correlation between antigen expression and stage, grade, histology and survival. OY-TES-1 is expressed in 69% of patients with EOC, is absent from normal ovarian tissue, and a proportion of patients show evidence of a specific humoral immune response. These findings make OY-TES-1 an attractive target for antigen-specific immunotherapy in EOC.
Insights
OY-TES-1, a cancer/testis antigen, is expressed in 69% of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and absent in normal ovarian tissue. This antigen shows potential for EOC vaccine therapy due to its immunogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cancer/testis (CT) antigens represent a promising class of targets for cancer immunotherapy.
- Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains a significant health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and immunogenicity of OY-TES-1 in EOC.
- To evaluate OY-TES-1 as a potential target for EOC vaccine therapy.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to assess OY-TES-1 expression in 100 EOC samples, 5 EOC cell lines, and normal tissues.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect anti-OY-TES-1 antibodies in patient sera.
Main Results:
- OY-TES-1 was expressed in 69% (69/100) of EOC tumors.
- OY-TES-1 expression was detected in thymus and leukocytes but absent in other normal tissues examined.
- A humoral immune response to OY-TES-1 was observed in 10% (1/10) of patients with antigen-expressing tumors.
Conclusions:
- OY-TES-1 is frequently expressed in EOC and absent in normal ovarian tissue, making it a specific target.
- The presence of a humoral immune response suggests OY-TES-1 can elicit an immune reaction in EOC patients.
- OY-TES-1 represents an attractive candidate for the development of antigen-specific immunotherapy for EOC.
