title: A chimeric multi-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 B cell epitope peptide vaccine mediates superior antitumor responses.
abstract: Immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer should focus on novel undertakings that modulate immune responses by synergistic enhancement of antitumor immunological parameters. Cancer vaccines should preferably be composed of multiple defined tumor Ag-specific B and T cell epitopes. To develop a multiepitope vaccine, 12 high ranking B cell epitopes were identified from the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) oncoprotein by computer-aided analysis. Four novel HER-2 B cell epitopes were synthesized as chimeras with a promiscuous T cell epitope (aa 288-302) from the measles virus fusion protein (MVF). Two chimeric peptide vaccines, MVF HER-2(316-339) and MVF HER-2(485-503) induced high levels of Abs in outbred rabbits, which inhibited tumor cell growth. In addition, Abs induced by a combination of two vaccines, MVF HER-2(316-339) and MVF HER-2(628-647) down-modulated receptor expression and activated IFN-gamma release better than the individual vaccines. Furthermore, this multiepitope vaccine in combination with IL-12 caused a significant reduction (p = 0.004) in the number of pulmonary metastases induced by challenge with syngeneic tumor cells overexpressing HER-2. Peptide Abs targeting specific sites in the extracellular domain may be used for exploring the oncoprotein's functions. The multiepitope vaccine may have potential application in the treatment of HER-2-associated cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Naveen K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Dakappagari
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pyles
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parihar
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: Donn C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Pravin T P
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Kaumaya
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000556:secondary; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D018664:Interleukin-12; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D017778:Vaccines, Combined