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Autoimmune mediated regulation of ovarian tumor growth

Cengiz Z Altuntas1, Ritika Jaini, Pavani Kesaraju

  • 1Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, OH 44195, USA.

Gynecologic Oncology
|October 19, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Inducing an immune response against ovarian-specific inhibin-α can prevent and treat ovarian tumors. This targeted autoimmunity shows promise for ovarian cancer prevention and therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Ovarian failure induced by immune response can offer protection against ovarian tumors, especially when organ removal is standard therapy.
  • Previous research demonstrated that targeting inhibin-α, an ovarian-specific protein, leads to ovarian failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of inhibin-α autoimmunity in preventing ovarian tumors.
  • To determine if inhibin-α autoimmunity can be used as a treatment for existing ovarian tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Developed transgenic mice (SJL.AMH-SV40Tag) with a high incidence of ovarian granulosa cell tumors.
  • Immunized these mice with a specific peptide (p215-234) of mouse inhibin-α, targeting the IA(s) restriction.

Main Results:

  • Immunization with inhibin-α peptide significantly inhibited the growth of spontaneous ovarian tumors in transgenic mice.
  • Therapeutic vaccination with the inhibin-α peptide also significantly inhibited the growth of established ovarian tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Ovarian-specific autoimmunity induction is a potential strategy for preventing ovarian tumor development.
  • This approach may also be effective in controlling the growth of established ovarian malignancies.

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