Endogenous retrovirus and proteins encoded by env gene as a target for cancer treatment

摘要

The present invention is directed to a method for the prevention and/or the treatment of cancer in a mammal, wherein the cancerous cells express at least one protein of endogenous retrovirus, particularly immunosuppressive protein such as env gene encoded protein from HERV-K, particularly the Np9 protein, said method comprising inhibiting the expression and/or the activity of said endogenous retrovirus and/or said env gene encoded immunosuppressive protein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising nucleic acid capable of inhibiting said expression, ligand such as antibodies capable of inhibiting the activity of said env gene encoded protein, or immunogen or vaccinal composition capable of inducing an immune response, cellular or humoral response directed against said env gene encoded protein. The invention is further directed to the use of such env gene encoded protein, mutated or not, for the manufacture of a medicament or a vaccine composition intended for the prevention or the treatment of cancers.