Publications by authors named "Caroline Kessler"
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the use of an amino acid-modified calcitonin (CT) for immunization in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) using a transgenic mouse model, as no relevant tumor antigens have been identified for MTC.
- Mice were vaccinated over six months with modified CT, showing an increase in tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and a strong immune response, indicated by high levels of interferon-gamma.
- The results revealed a significant reduction in tumor growth (57%) and lowered serum CT levels in immunized mice, suggesting the potential for this approach in treating patients with metastatic MTC.
Purpose: No relevant breakthrough has yet been achieved in the identification of tumor antigens in many neuroendocrine cancer types that exist, such as malignant gastrinoma, insulinoma, or medullary thyroid carcinoma. The aim of this study was to proof the concept of dendritic cell immunization with a tumor cell-specific polypeptide hormone as a target molecule in a transgenic mouse model for medullary thyroid carcinoma (Ret/Cal mice).
Experimental Design: Ret/Cal mice were repeatedly immunized for up to 6 months with amino acid-modified (xenogenic) calcitonin-pulsed dendritic cells.