Targeting EpCAM (CD326) for immunotherapy in hepatoblastoma.

ABSTRACT: Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common liver cancer in children. Recurrence of HB after chemotherapy and surgery is frequent among high-risk patients and is associated with chemoresistance. Immunotherapy may improve poor treatment outcomes in HB patients. Cytotoxic leukocytes of the innate and adaptive immune system including different populations of cytotoxic T cells play a major role in fighting developing tumors. In this setting, monoclonal antibodies may be employed to specifically direct immune responses toward tumor cells. We addressed this issue by using humanized antibodies that recognize the cell surface molecule EpCAM (CD326, overexpressed in hepatic tumor cells) to enhance immune responses against HB. EpCAM was constantly expressed on HB cells and its expression was independent

SUBMITTER: Armeanu-Ebinger S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3583930 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature