title: Anti-tumor effects of a human VEGFR-2-based DNA vaccine in mouse models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGFR-2 (Flk-1/KDR), play a key role in tumor angiogenesis. Blocking the VEGF-VEGFR-2 pathway may inhibit tumor growth. Here, we used human VEGFR-2 as a model antigen to explore the feasibility of immunotherapy with a plasmid DNA vaccine based on a xenogeneic homologue of this receptor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The protective effects and therapeutic anti-tumor immunity mediated by the DNA vaccine were investigated in mouse models. Anti-angiogenesis effects were detected by immunohistochemical staining and the alginate-encapsulate tumor cell assay. The mechanism of action of the DNA vaccine was primarily explored by detection of auto-antibodies and CTL activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The DNA vaccine elicited a strong, protective and therapeutic anti-tumor immunity through an anti-angiogenesis mechanism in mouse models, mediated by the stimulation of an antigen-specific response against mFlk-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows that a DNA vaccine based on a xenogeneic homologue plasmid DNA induced autoimmunity against VEGFR-2, resulting in inhibition of tumor growth. Such vaccines may be clinically relevant for cancer immunotherapy.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Guo Xue Xiang, No 37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors: Ke
authors: K
authors: Xie
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Guo Xue Xiang, No 37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors: Rui-Zhen
authors: RZ
authors: Bai
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Guo Xue Xiang, No 37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Wu
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Guo Xue Xiang, No 37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors: Quan
authors: Q
authors: Liu
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Guo Xue Xiang, No 37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors: Kang
authors: K
authors: Liu
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Guo Xue Xiang, No 37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors: Yu-Quan
authors: YQ
authors: Wei