Neoplastic transformation is a multistage process and distinct gene products of specific cell regulatory pathways are involved
at each stage. Identification of genes overexpressed at a specific stage provides an unprecedented opportunity to address
the immune system against antigens with a driving role in tumor progression (oncoantigens). The ERBB2 oncogene is a prototype
of deregulated oncogenic protein kinase membrane receptors. Mice transgenic for rat ERBB2 (BALB-neuT mice) were used in this
study to identify an additional set of oncoantigens expressed at defined stages by most breast carcinomas to be used as alternatives
to ERBB2-driven vaccination. To address this question, we integrated the transcription data generated by comparing preneoplastic
lesions and neoplasia in BALB-neuT mice with a meta-analysis on transcription profiles generated from normal and breast tumor
human specimens. Forty-six putative oncoantigens identified and prioritized according to their expression on the cell membrane
or in the extra cellular space, cytoplasm and nucleus were chosen for preclinical investigation as vaccination targets.
Keywords Tumor antigens - Vaccination - Immunotherapy
This article is a symposium paper from the conference “Progress in vaccination against cancer 2007 (PIVAC 7)”, held in Stockholm,
Sweden, on 10–11 September 2007.