Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a poorly immunogenic malignancy without effective adjuvant treatment. One strategy for combating this malignancy is using gene transfer technology to augment antitumor immunity. We propose a comparative investigation of tumor vaccine strategies in C57BL/6 mice bearing K-ras-expressing subcutaneous tumors derived from Panc02, a murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line. First, we will construct vectors encoding K-ras and generate K-ras-expressing Panc02 cell lines. Second, we will investigate whether dendritic cells, potent antigen-presenting cells, which express K-ras and secrete GM-CSF can stimulate antitumor immunity against K-ras-expressing Panc02 tumors in mice. Third, we will test K-ras-expressing autologous and allogeneic tumor cell-based vaccines. Finally, we will directly compare these three vaccine strategies to determine which approach will be most useful in gene-based immunotherapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in clinical trials.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32CA086420-02
Application #
6377918
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-1 (01))
Program Officer
Lohrey, Nancy
Project Start
2001-04-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-04-01
Budget End
2002-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$45,560
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Hospital Boston
Department
Type
DUNS #
076593722
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Tseng, Jennifer F; Willett, Christopher G; Fernandez-del Castillo, Carlos et al. (2005) Patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma can mount an effective immune response to vaccinations. Pancreatology 5:67-74
Tseng, Jennifer F; Mulligan, Richard C (2002) Gene therapy for pancreatic cancer. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 11:537-69
Tseng, Jennifer F; Farnebo, Filip A; Kisker, Oliver et al. (2002) Adenovirus-mediated delivery of a soluble form of the VEGF receptor Flk1 delays the growth of murine and human pancreatic adenocarcinoma in mice. Surgery 132:857-65