title: A new tumor-specific variant of GRP78 as target for antibody-based therapy.
abstract: The chaperone GRP78 is a member of the heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) family and is responsible for cellular homeostasis by preventing stress-induced apoptosis. GRP78 is expressed in all cells of the body. In malignant cells, which are permanently exposed to environmental stress, GRP78 is overexpressed and increased levels can be found in the cytoplasm and on the cell membrane. Thus, GRP78 promotes tumor proliferation, survival, metastases and resistance to a wide variety of therapies. Like other tumor-specific membrane molecules, GRP78 can also be present on cancer cells in a variant form. This modification qualifies it as a target for immune surveillance and antibody responses. The fully human monoclonal IgM antibody, SAM-6, was isolated from a gastric cancer patient and it binds to a new variant of GRP78 with a molecular weight of 82 kDa. The epitope is an O-linked carbohydrate moiety and is specific for malignant cells. These data show that cancer-specific modifications of cell-surface protection molecules are (a) subject of an immune response and (b) ideal targets for new therapeutical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rauschert
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brändlein
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holzinger
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hensel
authors.forename: Hans-Konrad
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Müller-Hermelink
authors.forename: H Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Vollmers
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000276:immunology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000276:immunology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; C000717247:HSPA5 protein, human; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D020033:Protein Isoforms