CD4+ T cells in antitumor immunity: utility of an li-key HER2/neu hybrid peptide vaccine (AE37).

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Early clinical trials of HER2/neu-derived peptide vaccines indicate that they may be useful for preventing recurrence in breast cancer patients rendered disease-free after standard-of-care therapy. An effective vaccination strategy will probably require stimulation of T helper (Th) cells. AE37 is an HER2/neu-derived peptide that has been modified to enhance antigen-specific stimulation of Th cells by linkage of the Ii-Key moiety of the MHC class II-associated invariant chain (Ii protein).

OBJECTIVE:

To review the literature regarding the role of a Th response in immunotherapy with a focus on this novel HER2/neu-derived AE37 peptide.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION:

Improved immuno-genicity of the AE37 Ii-key hybrid peptide has been demonstrated in animal models, ex vivo patient cells, and, most recently, in a Phase I clinical trial in breast cancer patients. Future clinical trials incorporating AE37 into a peptide vaccine strategy are warranted.

• Authors: Elizabeth A Mittendorf, Jarrod P Holmes, James L Murray, Eric von Hofe, George E Peoples
• Journal: Expert opinion on biological therapy (Expert Opin Biol Ther) Vol. 9 Issue 1 Pg. 71-8 (Jan 2009) ISSN: 1744-7682 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19063694 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• AE37 vaccine
• Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
• Cancer Vaccines
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
• invariant chain
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte (immunology)
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Cancer Vaccines (adverse effects, immunology)
• Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (pharmacology)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II (immunology)
• Humans
• Neoplasms (immunology)
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (immunology)
• Vaccination