ABSTRACT
One drawback of these early studies was the use of model tumor antigens such as Escheri chia coli-galactosidase, chicken ovalbumin, or influenza nucleoprotein. These proteins are “foreign” to the host, while MDA, constitutively expressed on normal melanocytes, are “self”. Indeed, when immunizing experimental animals against normal autoantigens, the induction of a detectable immune response appears to be an exception rather than the rule.9' 12 This observation was mirrored in cancer patients, where it appeared difficult if not impossible to induce strong immune responses to several candidate tumor antigens in a variety of studies,
Peptide-Based Cancer Vaccines, edited by W. Martin Kast. ©2000 Eurekah.com.
