Effect of an EGF-cancer vaccine on wound healing and inflammation models.
BACKGROUND
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGF-R) are attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy. Tolerance has been broken with an EGF-vaccine and antibodies against EGF have been produced in animals and in cancer patients. EGF also plays an important role in the inflammation stage of wound healing. Because this therapeutic approach may be of importance after surgery procedures in cancer patients, we decided to investigate the possible role of the EGF-vaccine in the croton-oil-induced ear edema and in the wound healing experimental animal models.


METHODS
Mice were immunized with an EGF-vaccine by intramuscular injections and serum titers against EGF were measured through ELISA techniques. Control animals received saline.


RESULTS
Immunized mice produced antibodies against EGF while no antibody titers could be measured in control animals. Croton oil applied to the inner ear surface of EGF-vaccine treated mice caused a 61.3% lower ear punch weight and a 60.2% lower myeloperoxidase activity than control mice. In the EGF-vaccine treated animals, planimetry measurements and histological analysis did not led to significant impairment in tissue repair.


CONCLUSIONS
The EGF-vaccination in mice decreased the normal croton-oil-induced inflammation response, without apparent impairment in tissue healing.
Casacó
A
A
Centro de Immunología Molecular, Habana, Cuba. casaco@ict.cim.sld.cu
Díaz
Y
Y
Ledón
N
N
Merino
N
N
Vadés
O
O
Garcia
G
G
Garcia
B
B
González
G
G
Pérez
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003436:Croton Oil; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007114:Immunization; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D003436:Croton Oil