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
5822 - Greek nursing students experience facing death in clinical practice
Presenter: Maria Dimoula
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2866 - HOPEVOL: Hospice care appropriate to the wishes and needs of patients in the palliative terminal phase.
Presenter: Merel van Klinken
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
829 - Mindfulness-based stress reduction in early palliative care for advanced cancer patients : an italian single-centre study. MINDEEP
Presenter: Emilia Gianotti
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2702 - Optimising Inpatient Oncology Care
Presenter: Lisa Judge
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1527 - Analysis on the Implementation Results of Family Sickbed for Oncology Patients in Dongshi Township Health Centers from 2015 to 2017
Presenter: Yayu Huang
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2054 - Exploring needs for palliative care and quality of life for oncology patients with advanced disease who undergo radiotherapy
Presenter: Foteini Antonopoulou
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5605 - Cytotoxic contamination in cancer care settings – Risks and safety awareness among cancer nurses
Presenter: Sandra Lundman Vikberg
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5769 - Understanding Chemotherapy - group education sessions prior to commencing chemotherapy
Presenter: Aileen McHale
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2620 - Estimation of HPQ-based absenteeism and presenteeism in cancer patients via ResearchKit
Presenter: Shunsuke Kondo
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4705 - Identifying falls-related variables and risk factors in hospitalised cancer patients
Presenter: Maria Montserrat Martí Dillet
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract