Long-term tumor growth suppression in mice immunized with naked DNA of the human tumor antigen mucin (MUC1)

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2001 Sep;50(7):356-60. doi: 10.1007/s002620100212.

Abstract

Naked DNA is an attractive tool for vaccination studies. We have studied naked DNA vaccination against the human tumor antigen mucin, encoded by the gene MUC1. C57/BL6 mice were immunized twice, on day 1 and day 10. with plasmid pCI-MUC1, intramuscularly. Five days after the last immunization tumor challenge experiments were performed using the tumor cell line MC38, expressing human MUC1. In 85% of mice immunized with the mucin plasmid tumor growth inhibition was observed, whereas control mice developed tumors. Re-tumor challenge after three months revealed no tumor growth in mice immunized with the mucin plasmid. These encouraging results, showing long-term protection against tumor growth, indicate the potential usefulness of naked DNA vaccination for clinical immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / analysis
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Immunization
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mucin-1 / analysis
  • Mucin-1 / immunology*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Mucin-1
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor