Oral DNA Vaccine Encoding Endoglin Eradicates Breast Tumors by Blocking Their Blood Supply

摘要

We extended our research efforts on the endoglin-based DNA vaccine for the treatment of breast cancer. We attained our goals for the second fiscal year, first, by constructing unique expression plasmids encoding endoglin and co-expressing IL-15 or encoding IL-7, the latter to be co-expressed with endoglin. Second, we verified the correct protein expression of those plasmids by Western blotting, assessed anti-angiogenic effects by imaging and Matrigel assays and optimized antigen processing and presentation. Third, we critically evaluated anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor efficacies of the DNA vaccines in vivo in orthotopic as well as spontaneous and experimental D2F2 mouse breast tumor metastasis models in syngeneic BALB/c mice.