A novel DNA vaccine encoding PDGFR[beta] suppresses growth and dissemination of murine colon, lung and breast carcinoma

Over the past several years it has become apparent that the tumor stroma represents a significant target for anti-cancer therapies. Therefore we evaluated the strategy of targeting the tumor stroma with a novel DNA vaccine encoding murine platelet derived growth factor receptor-beta (mPDGFRβ). Immunization with this vaccine induced cytotoxic lysis of mPDGFRβ-expressing target cells and protected mice from the growth and dissemination of murine colon, breast and lung carcinoma. Furthermore, this novel vaccine suppresses angiogenesisin vivoand reduces the numbers of tumor-associated, mPDGFRβ-expressing pericytes as suggested by a decrease in intra-tumoral expression of mPDGFRβ and NG2.