Alpha fetoprotein DNA prime and adenovirus boost immunization of two hepatocellular cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is an oncofetal antigen over-expressed by many hepatocellular cancers (HCC). We previously demonstrated that HLA-A2-restricted epitopes derived from AFP are immunogenic in vitro and in vivo despite high circulating levels of this oncofetal antigen. In order to test a more broadly applicable, HLA-unrestricted, inexpensive, cell-free vaccine platform capable of activating tumor antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, we tested full length AFP in a plasmid DNA construct in combination with an AFP-expressing replication-deficient adenovirus (AdV) in a prime-boost vaccine strategy.

Methods

HCC patients who had an AFP+ tumor and previous treatment for HCC were screened and two patients received vaccination with three plasmid DNA injections follow

SUBMITTER: Butterfield LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4021640 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature