BACKGROUND: Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Targeting EGFR is an effective approach to treat EGFR-positive HNSCC. However, the clinical benefits of the present EGFR-targeting agents are still limited in HNSCC patients. METHODS: Recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-EGFR fusion protein was produced and purified. Dendritic cells (DCs) of C3H mice were pulsed with fusion protein. Mice were challenged with HNSCC cells before or after vaccination with these DCs, and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion, tumor growth, and survival of mice were assessed. RESULTS: Significant in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities were observed for mice immunized with DCs pulsed with GST-EGFR fusion protein, compared with the control groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The DCs pulsed with GST-EGFR fusion protein can provide not only preventive but also therapeutic antitumor activities against HNSCC in the animal model.
BACKGROUND: Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Targeting EGFR is an effective approach to treat EGFR-positive HNSCC. However, the clinical benefits of the present EGFR-targeting agents are still limited in HNSCC patients. METHODS: Recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-EGFR fusion protein was produced and purified. Dendritic cells (DCs) of C3H mice were pulsed with fusion protein. Mice were challenged with HNSCC cells before or after vaccination with these DCs, and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion, tumor growth, and survival of mice were assessed. RESULTS: Significant in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities were observed for mice immunized with DCs pulsed with GST-EGFR fusion protein, compared with the control groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The DCs pulsed with GST-EGFR fusion protein can provide not only preventive but also therapeutic antitumor activities against HNSCC in the animal model.