title: Human embryonic stem cells--a potential vaccine for ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a vaccine to induce an immune response and provide antitumor protection in a rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-reactivity of antigens between hESCs and tumour cells was screened by immunohistochemistry. Fischer 344 rats were divided into 7 groups, with 6 rats in each, immunized with: Group 1, hESC; Group 2, pre-inactivated mitotic NuTu-19; Group 3 PBS; Group 4, hESC; Group 5, pre-inactivated mitotic NuTu-19; Group 6, PBS; Group 7, hESC only. At 1 (Groups 1-3) or 4 weeks (Groups 4-6) after the last vaccination, each rat was challenged intraperitoneally with NuTu-19. Tumor growth and animal survival were closely monitored. Rats immunized with H9 and NuTu- 19 were tested by Western blot analysis of rat orbital venous blood for cytokines produced by Th1 and Th2 cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  hESCs presented tumour antigens, markers, and genes related to tumour growth, metastasis, and signal pathway interactions. The vaccine administered to rats in Group 1 led to significant antitumor responses and enhanced tumor rejection in rats with intraperitoneal inoculation of NuTu-19 cells compared to control groups. In contrast, rats in Group 4 did not display any elevation of antitumour responses. Western blot analysis found cross-reactivity among antibodies generated between H9 and NuTu-19. However, the cytokines did not show significant differences, and no side effects were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  hESC-based vaccination is a promising modality for immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Gynecologic Oncology Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zu-Juan
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xin-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D003429:Cross Reactions; D018450:Disease Progression; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014612:Vaccines