Is DNA Vaccination a Viable Approach in the Treatment of EBV Associated Tumours?

Dabbagh, N. and Wilson, J.B. (2002) Is DNA Vaccination a Viable Approach in the Treatment of EBV Associated Tumours? DNA Vaccines 2002, Edinburgh, UK, 23-25 Oct 2002.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is associated with a number of human malignancies of lymphoid or epithelial origin, including Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin’s disease and others. Different subsets of the EBV latent genes are expressed in the different tumours and are thought to have a role in oncogenesis by EBV. EBV nuclear antigen-1 (ENBA-1) is expressed in all EBV associated tumours and latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) is a known viral oncogene and is expressed in several tumour types. These proteins therefore represent targets of choice for preventive or therapeutic approaches. Here, we aim to establish a murine test system in which to try DNA vaccination targeting LMP-1 and EBNA-1 of EBV. Our test system involves the transfer of malignant B-cells derived from tumours which develop in transgenic mice expressing either EBNA-1 or LMP-1 as transgenes (Wilson et. al., (1990), Cell 61:1315-1327; Wilson et. al., (1996) EMBO J. 15: 3117-3126). The tumour cells are transplantable into syngeneic hosts and lead to tumour growth in the recipients, usually within 4-8 weeks. The first DNA vaccine we are testing encodes a mutant LMP-1 which is non-functional, yet maintains its immunogenic properties. Also, a chimeric DNA vaccine encoding both the c-terminal half of EBNA-1 and the mutant LMP-1 has been designed to be used against both LMP-1 and EBNA-1 positive tumours.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wilson, Professor Joanna
• Authors: Dabbagh, N., and Wilson, J.B.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences