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Immunologic approaches to inhibiting cell-surface-residing oncoproteins in human tumors
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. orourked@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract:
The erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases are growth factor receptors that are overexpressed or mutated in a large variety of human cancers. Studies of erbB-mediated signal transduction will lead to an understanding of the role played by this family of receptors in normal and transformed cells. In this article, we discuss the contemporary understanding of the structure and function of these receptors, and how these features might be exploited in immunologic strategies of receptor-based growth inhibition. The first part of this article details the structure of erbB receptors as it relates to the process of transformation of cells and the malignant phenotype in human tumors. In the second part of this article, we discuss immunologic approaches to therapy for cancers in which surface-residing erbB receptors are overexpressed or mutated, with an emphasis on studies targeting the p185neu/c-erbB2 oncoprotein. The potential for antireceptor immunity and the evolution of small molecules for receptor-based immunotherapy are discussed. These studies provide a basis for the application of receptor-based strategies of growth inhibition in erbB-expressing human cancers.
Insights
The erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases are crucial in human cancers. Understanding their structure and function can lead to new immunologic therapies targeting these receptors for cancer growth inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- The erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases are implicated in various human cancers due to overexpression or mutations.
- Understanding erbB-mediated signal transduction is key to elucidating their role in normal and transformed cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of erbB receptor structure and function in cancer.
- To explore immunologic strategies for receptor-based growth inhibition in erbB-expressing cancers.
- To discuss targeting the p185neu/c-erbB2 oncoprotein for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on erbB receptor structure and function.
- Discussion of immunologic approaches, including antireceptor immunity and small molecule development.
- Focus on studies targeting the p185neu/c-erbB2 oncoprotein.
Main Results:
- Detailed examination of erbB receptor structure and its relation to cellular transformation and malignant phenotype.
- Exploration of how receptor features can be leveraged for immunologic growth inhibition strategies.
- Discussion of the potential of antireceptor immunity and small molecules in immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- The structure and function of erbB receptors provide a basis for developing receptor-based growth inhibition strategies.
- Immunologic approaches targeting overexpressed or mutated erbB receptors show promise for cancer therapy.
- Further research into antireceptor immunity and small molecules can advance erbB-targeted immunotherapy.