A caspase-6 and anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) antibody chimeric molecule suppresses the growth of HER2-overexpressing tumors

YM Xu, LF Wang, LT Jia, XC Qiu, J Zhao… - The journal of …, 2004 - journals.aai.org
YM Xu, LF Wang, LT Jia, XC Qiu, J Zhao, CJ Yu, R Zhang, F Zhu, CJ Wang, BQ Jin, SY Chen…
The journal of immunology, 2004journals.aai.org
Clinical studies have suggested that human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)
provide a useful target for antitumor therapy. We previously described the generation of a
chimeric HER2-targeted immunocasp-3 protein. In this study, we extend the repertoire of
chimeric proapoptotic proteins with immunocasp-6, a construct that comprises a HER2-
specific single-chain Ab, a single-chain Pseudomonas exotoxin A, and an active caspase-6,
which can directly cleave lamin A leading to nucleus damage and inducing programmed cell …
Abstract
Clinical studies have suggested that human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) provide a useful target for antitumor therapy. We previously described the generation of a chimeric HER2-targeted immunocasp-3 protein. In this study, we extend the repertoire of chimeric proapoptotic proteins with immunocasp-6, a construct that comprises a HER2-specific single-chain Ab, a single-chain Pseudomonas exotoxin A, and an active caspase-6, which can directly cleave lamin A leading to nucleus damage and inducing programmed cell death. We demonstrate that the secreted immunocasp-6 molecule selectively recognizes and induces apoptosis in HER2-overexpressing tumor cells in vitro, but not in cells with undetectable HER2. The immunocasp-6 gene was next transferred into BALB/c athymic mice bearing human breast SK-BR-3 tumors by im injection of liposome-encapsulated vectors, by intratumor injection of adenoviral vectors, or by iv injection of PBMC modified by retroviral infection. Regardless of the method used, expression of immunocasp-6 suppressed tumor growth and prolonged animal survival significantly. Our data show that the chimeric immunocasp-6 molecule can recognize HER2–positive tumor cells, promptly attack their nucleus, and induce their apoptotic death, suggesting the potential of this strategy for the treatment of human cancers that overexpress HER2.
journals.aai.org