Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) Enhances CD8+ T Cell Mediated Anti-Tumor Immunity Induced by DNA Vaccination

Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are generally effective against small tumors in animal models of cancer, but many tumors can grow rapidly and become resistant to both therapies. JHU researchers have now shown that this resistance can be overcome by combining immunotherapy using DNA vaccination with chemotherapy using epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea extract. Remarkably, EGCG appears to augment the anti-tumor effects of DNA vaccine-mediated immunotherapy, resulting in a higher cure rate than immunotherapy or EGCG alone. This effect is associated with an enhanced tumor-specific CD8+ T cell immune response induced by DNA vaccination. Combined DNA vaccination and oral EGCG treatment generated a significant long-term immune response and anti-tumor protection in cured mice. Cured animals rejected a challenge of E7-expressing tumors, such as TC-l and B16E7, but not a challenge of B16 seven weeks after the combined therapy, demonstrating that the anti-tumor immunity was antigen specific. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) A major problem in cancer therapy is the resistance of long-lived cancer cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Combining immunotherapy with a mild tumor-killing cancer drug appears to be an effective approach for producing anti-tumor immunity. This invention introduces a new therapeutic regimen for cancer treatment.

Inventor(s): Wu, T.C.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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