Abstract 5860
Background
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in infancy. Some germline and somatic mutations associated with NB have been identified as activating mutations of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncogene. Because of the nature of NB, which can occur in the early post-natal life or even during fetal life, we evaluated the efficacy of a DNA vaccine against ALK in a spontaneous preclinical model of NB, harboring ALKF1174L mutation in association with MYCN amplification (ALKF1174L/MYCN mice) by means of maternal immunization (MI).
Methods
MYCN transgenic females were immunized against ALK by DNA vaccination by using a plasmid coding for the extracellular and trans-membrane domains of human ALK (ALK-ECTM) followed by electroporation, and then they were mated with an ALKF1174L-transgenic male. In ALKF1174L/MYCN offspring, the presence of abdominal, cervical and paraspinal tumors has been evaluated and quantified by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The humoral immune response induced against ALK in the mothers and their offspring, as well as the presence of immune-complexes containing ALK, have been evaluated by ELISA. ALK expression in tumor tissue was assessed by Western blot.
Results
Pre-birth immunization against ALK leads to an extended survival time and to a lower tumor growth kinetic in ALKF1174L/MYCN offspring born from ALK-ECTM-vaccinated mothers (ALK-ECTM offspring) as compared to controls born from control empty vector-vaccinated mothers. Maternally derived anti-ALK antibodies were successfully transferred from mothers to newborns. Moreover, anti-ALK IgM were found in the sera of five- and six-week old ALK-ECTM offspring, suggesting the induction of the pups’ own immune response against ALK. This effect could be due to the breast milk-mediated transfer of immune-complexes containing ALK, found in the milk of vaccinated mothers and in their offspring sera. Finally, MI against ALK induces a decrease in ALK expression in ALK-ECTM offspring’ tumor tissue.
Conclusions
Overall, these results indicate that MI against ALK induces an active immunization against this oncoantigen in the offspring, impairing tumor development and enhancing survival time in a preclinical model of NB.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences.
Funding
Associazione Italiana per la ricerca sul Cancro.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
4096 - Patient experience and use of an intervention combining nurse-led telephone and technologies for the monitoring of oral cancer medication
Presenter: Marie Ferrua
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
6042 - Harnessing nurse leadership to implement a project for electronic scheduling of chemotherapy
Presenter: Emma Masters
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3123 - Turkish Cancer Patients’ Preference for Information and Communication Technologies
Presenter: Esra ildes
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
6062 - Unmet Needs in Oncology Research related to radiological response evaluation: a multi-center survey in three European countries
Presenter: Sophie Nisse Durgeat
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
6109 - A program implementation to facilitate intraoperative brachytherapy between hospitals
Presenter: Marc Garcia Casellas
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1772 - Using Mobile-Based Health Care Applications Outcomes: Mini Systematic Review
Presenter: Aydanur Aydin
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2792 - Evaluation of an education program for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Presenter: Iraqi Amina
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3715 - iGestSaúde: Application for self-management of symptoms during chemotherapy treatment
Presenter: Bruno Magalhaes
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3854 - Palliative care requirements of cancer patients and investigation of knowledge and expectations related to palliative care of the patients and their families
Presenter: Ozlem Topkaya
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4997 - Hospice care, what to expect? An exploration of the expectation of future hospice patients
Presenter: Merel van Klinken
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract