Immunization with HER2 extracellular subdomain proteins induces cellular response and tumor growth inhibition in mice.

Aim: We investigated cellular and protective immune responses in mice vaccinated with recombinant HER2 extracellular subdomains.

Materials & Methods: Balb/C mice were immunized with recombinant full HER2 extracellular domain and subdomain proteins. Humoral and cellular immune response and antitumor effect was evaluated using a syngeneic mice tumor model.

Antibody Response to Human Extracellular HER2 Subdomain Proteins in Mice.

Background: In addition to passive immunotherapy using anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies, active immunotherapy via HER2 targeting is an interesting approach to inducing specific anti-tumor immune responses. We have recently reported the immunogenicity of HER2 subdomains following DNA immunization and HER2 protein boosting. In the present study, we evaluated the immunogenicity of different HER2 extracellular subdomains for the induction of anti-HER2 antibody response in BALB/c mice.

Antibody response to HER2 extracellular domain and subdomains in mouse following DNA immunization.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 15-20 % of breast cancer patients and is an appropriate target for immunotherapy in these patients. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to HER2 are currently applied to treat breast cancer patients with HER2 overexpression. Active immunization with HER2 DNA or protein has been considered as a suitable alternative.