Combined immunotherapy of breast cancer with EGF and VEGF vaccines from DNA shuffling in a mouse model

Abstract

Aim: Development of EGF and VEGF vaccines with high antigenicity for combined immunotherapy of EGF–EGFR signaling-dependent epithelial tumors such as breast cancer. Method: EGF genes from mouse, human and chicken were randomly assembled to chimeric genes by DNA shuffling, then a chimeric EGF was selected out by PCR, SDS-PAGE and immunization for combined immunotherapy of breast cancer with a previously constructed chimeric VEGF vaccine from shuffling. Results: Combined vaccination with chimeric EGF and VEGF from shuffling could induce high titer of antibodies against EGF and VEGF to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis, and improve the survival rate of mice with breast cancer. Conclusion: Combined vaccination with EGF and VEGF from shuffling showed better immunotherapy on EGF–EGFR signaling-dependent epithelial tumors such as breast cancer than the single-agent EGF vaccination.