Working towards the development of vaccines for the treatment and prevention of early breast cancer
- Authors
- Roses R.E.; Xu M.; Xu S.; Koldovsky U.; Son G.; Koski G.K.; Czerniecki B.J.
- Issue Date
- 2007
- Keywords
- Ductal carcinoma in situ; EGFR family; Regulatory T Cells; Trastuzumab; Tumor Antigen
- Citation
- Current Cancer Therapy Reviews, v.3, no.2, pp 97 - 107
- Pages
- 11
- Indexed
- SCOPUS
- Journal Title
- Current Cancer Therapy Reviews
- Volume
- 3
- Number
- 2
- Start Page
- 97
- End Page
- 107
- URI
- https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2020.sw.kumedicine/31802
- DOI
- 10.2174/157339407780618461
- ISSN
- 1573-3947
- Abstract
- Recent studies of immune responses to pathogens have identified pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) recognized by the innate immune system through specialized receptors called toll-like receptors (TLRs). Signaling through these receptors initiates robust immune responses. By exploiting TLR signaling pathways, immunity to tumor-associated antigens may be generated. Many tumor-associated antigens are involved in the regulation of tumor phenotype or carcinogenesis. Immune targeting of these antigens may either alter the tumor phenotype, yielding a more treatable tumor, or eradicate early tumor stem cells preventing tumor formation. The oncoprotein HER-2/neu, which is over-expressed in a significant number of pre-malignant breast lesions of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), may provide such a target. Immune responses directed against HER-2/neu may eliminate the disease, make tumors more amenable to anti-estrogen therapy, or prevent escape of hormone-resistant tumor phenotypes. Effective breast cancer prevention in preclinical studies utilizing HER-2/neu transgenic murine models has stimulated interest in, and optimism regarding, protective breast cancer vaccines in humans. Induction of anti-HER-2/neu T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) and B cell responses has been demonstrated in an ongoing clinical study targeting HER-2/neu using a TLR agonist stimulated dendritic cell (DC) vaccine. Moreover, these vaccinations lead to reductions in both HER-2/ neu expression and extent of DCIS. HER-2/neu expression and aromatase activity have recently been linked through the intermediary cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). This convergence between growth factor and hormone mediated pathways reinforces the notion that a significant number of breast cancers may be prevented through effective immune targeting of HER-2/neu. As progress is made in the development of vaccines for breast cancer prevention, the contributions of immune-mediated effector and inhibitory mechanisms to the pathogenesis of HER-2/neu over-expressing breast cancers will need to be better understood. © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
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Collections - 2. Clinical Science > Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery > 1. Journal Articles
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