An altered form of the cholecystokinin receptor (CCK2i4svR) that includes 69 extra amino acids in a third intracellular loop is expressed by many aggressive pancreatic tumors. Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive and deadly cancer. Immortal cells expressing this recombinant protein given as a vaccine are readily destroyed by the host immune system as tumor-specific T cells are generated. We have tested the efficacy of this vaccine by implanting vaccinated mice with murine pancreatic cancer cells engineered to express the human target protein. In a preliminary study, vaccination did reduce tumor growth. Tumor samples will be analyzed for the presence of infiltrating T cells in a future extension of this study. CD8+ T cells may directly kill tumor cells, while cytokines secreted by CD4+ T cells empower tumoricidal functions of other cellular effectors. Host immunity can be augmented by vaccination using altered tumor-associated targets. We have designed a system in which a unique tumor target has been incorporated into a highly immunogenic viral oncoprotein, the SV40 T antigen. CD8+ or CD4+ T lymphocytes, respectively, may combat tumors upon recognition of altered peptides presented on MHC molecules expressed by the tumor cells, or on phagocytes that have ingested tumor materials. One strategy to combat tumor growth has been to activate host immunity so that host tumor-specific lymphocytes, specifically T lymphocytes, are empowered to detect and destroy tumor cells. fibrosis) that block access by traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Pancreatic cancer is very aggressive due to genetic makeup and local tissue alterations (e.g. The tumors grow deep inside the body and do not produce clearly defined symptoms until later stages. Pancreatic cancer is currently the 4 th leading cause of cancer deaths, with a survival rate of only 10%.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |