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
4021 - Prospective pathological experience with research biopsies in the context of clinical trials at Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology
Presenter: Paolo Nuciforo
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5603 - Development of a comprehensive next-generation targeted sequencing assay for detection of gene-fusions in solid tumors
Presenter: Vinay Mittal
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4952 - Next-generation sequencing for better treatment strategy of cancer of unknown primary (CUP)
Presenter: Kang Kook Lee
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4590 - Circulating-free DNA analysis from long-term surviving metastatic colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery for resectable disease.
Presenter: Michele Ghidini
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3696 - Ultra-sensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA identifies patients in high risk of recurrence in early stages melanoma
Presenter: Filip Janku
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4295 - Identification of the founder BRCA1 mutation c.4117G>T (p.Glu1373*) recurring in Abruzzo and Lazio regions of Central Italy and predisposing to breast/ovarian and BRCA1-related cancers
Presenter: Daniela Di Giacomo
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2214 - Enzalutamide (ENZA) and Apalutamide (APA) In vitro chemical reactivity studies and Activity in a Mouse Drug Allergy Model (MDAM)
Presenter: Mausumee Guha
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5044 - Influence of genetic variation in COMT on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in cancer patients.
Presenter: Bram Agema
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3293 - Cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of Empagliflozin during treatment with Doxorubicin: a cellular and preclinical study
Presenter: Vincenzo Quagliariello
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3324 - Breast Cancer Organoids Model Treatment Response of HER2 Targeted Therapy in HER2-mutant Breast Cancer
Presenter: Xuelu Li
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract