Many aggressive human breast cancers overexpress Her2/neu, an epidermal growth f

Question

Many aggressive human breast cancers overexpress Her2/neu, an epidermal growth factor receptor surface protein which drives cel proliferation. Herceptin. a monoclonal antibody which recognizes Her2. is used to treat such cancers. Monoclonal antibodies are expensive to manufacture and must be administered intravenously. Several biotech firms are trying to devise "cancer vaccines" which could provoke the patient to make her own immune response against Her2. The approach is different in another way: these vaccines attempt to provoke the generation of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes (rather than antibodies), which will attack the cancer cells. The challenge is that Her2 is a "self" protein - you are ordinarily tolerant to it and won't respond to it. However, it is possible to 'break tolerance" by administering a self-antigen with a powerful adjuvant. Neuvax. one such experimental vaccine, links a nonapeptide from Her 2 (the nonapep tide is a potential T-Cell epitope) to a powerful immunoadjuvant. Neuvax has shown promising results in early clinical trials. but it works only for women with certain genetic backgrounds What might be the genetic difference between those for whom it works, and those for whom it doesn't?

Explanation / Answer

Breast cancer is not always caused due to the overexpression of Her2 gene. Neuvax is a vaxine that trigger the generation of cytotoxic T cells that kill Her2 expressing cancer cells. Those who develops breast cancer not due to the overexpression of HER2 (Her2 negative) are not the candidates for Neuvax.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse M
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.