Related Experiment Videos
Immunity to the HER-2/neu oncogenic protein
M L Disis1, H Bernhard, J R Gralow
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Oncogenic proteins from proto-oncogenes can be targeted for cancer immunotherapy. Research suggests targeting HER-2/neu in breast cancer is safe and effective, paving the way for new cancer vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Malignant transformation in humans often results from proto-oncogene activation.
- Identifying tumor antigens is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
- Oncogenic proteins derived from proto-oncogenes are potential targets for immune attack.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if oncogenic proteins expressed by transforming proto-oncogenes can serve as targets for immune attack.
- To explore the potential of targeting HER-2/neu in breast cancer immunotherapy.
- To identify candidate cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of oncogenic proteins and their homologous cellular proto-oncogenes.
- Investigation of immune responses in HER-2/Neu-positive breast cancer patients.
- Identification of potential cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes.
Main Results:
- Some patients with HER-2/Neu-positive breast cancer exhibit an immune response to HER-2/neu without autoimmunity.
- This suggests overexpressed oncogenic proteins can be therapeutic targets.
- Candidate cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes were identified.
Conclusions:
- Oncogenic proteins, such as HER-2/neu, are viable targets for cancer immunotherapy.
- Targeting these proteins may not induce destructive autoimmunity.
- Identification of epitopes can lead to tumor-specific T cell generation and peptide vaccines.