Plant-derived EpCAM antigen induces protective anti-cancer response

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2008 Mar;57(3):317-23. doi: 10.1007/s00262-007-0366-4. Epub 2007 Jul 19.

Abstract

Immunotherapy holds great promise for treatment of infectious and malignant diseases and might help to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of cancer. We produced a plant-derived tumor-associated colorectal cancer antigen EpCAM (pGA733) at high yields using two modern plant expression systems. The full antigenic domain of EpCAM was efficiently purified to confirm its antigenic and immunogenic properties as compared to those of the antigen expressed in the baculovirus system (bGA733). Recombinant plant-derived antigen induced a humoral immune response in BALB/c mice. Sera from those mice efficiently inhibited the growth of SW948 colorectal carcinoma cells xenografted in nude mice, as compared to the EpCAM-specific mAb CO17-1A. Our results support the feasibility of producing anti-cancer recombinant vaccines using plant expression systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibody Affinity / immunology
  • Antibody Specificity / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / isolation & purification
  • Beta vulgaris / genetics
  • Beta vulgaris / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / isolation & purification
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / pharmacology
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / immunology
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / chemistry
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • Immune Sera
  • Recombinant Proteins