Alpha fetal protein-specific hepatocellular carcinoma vaccines inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma growth in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To study the posibility of hepatocellular carcinoma HCC) vaccines from dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated with alpha fetal protein (AFP) peptides or Lenti-AFP for hepatoceHular carcinoma (HCC) immunotherapy.Methods We created a lentivirus expressing AFP (Lenti-AFP) and AFP peptides liver tumor vaccines,and antitumor activity of AFP-specific HCC vaccines for tumor growth and related cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2,interferon (IFN)-γ,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αt,perforin and granzyme B,FasL) were observed in 4 groups (Lenti-AFP,AFP1,AFP542 and control) in vivo.Results The AFP-specific tumor vaccines could efficiently kill HCC cells in vivo.The tumor diameter in control group was (12.28 ±3.49) cm,and that in treatment groups was (7.03 ±2.78),(11.00 ±2.57),(8.87 ±3.49) cm,respectively (FD =6.13,P＜0.01).The tumor weight in control group was (0.478 ± 0.225) g,and that in treatment groups was (0.398 ± 0.125),(0.298 ± 0.099),(0.228 ±0.132) g respectively (Fw =5.38,P ＜ 0.01).The levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,TNF-α,perforin and granzyme B were increased to varying degrees,and those of IL-10 were significantly reduced in the treatment groups (P ＜0.05).Conclusion AFP-specific CD8 +/CD4 + T cells tumor vaccines which were activated by either Lenti-AFP-engineered or AFP peptide-pulsed DCs have obviously antitumor activity in vivo.This study provides new insight into the design of HCC immunotherapy. Key words: Carcinoma,hepatocellular; Alpha-fetal protein; Dendritic cell