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Reduction of Human Melanoma Tumor Growth in Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice by Passive Transfer of Antibodies Induced by a High Molecular Weight Melanoma-Associated Antigen Mimotope Vaccine

Authors' Affiliations: Departments of ¹ Pathophysiology and ² Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, and ³ Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Requests for reprints: Christine Hafner, Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Phone: 43-1-40400-7716; Fax: 43-1-40400-7699; E-mail: Christine.Hafner{at}meduniwien.ac.at.

Purpose: The high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen (HMW-MAA) is an attractive target for immunotherapy of malignant melanoma. We have recently generated a vaccine based on the HMW-MAA mimotope 225D9.2⁺ that was able to induce anti-HMW-MAA antibodies with antitumor activity in vitro. Here, we investigated the antitumor activity of these antibodies in a human melanoma xenotransplant severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model.

Experimental Design: Tumors were established by injecting the human melanoma 518A2 cells into C.B.17 SCID/SCID mice. In tumor prevention experiments, 200 µg purified total IgG antibodies were injected intravenously the same day or on day 5 in therapeutic experiments. Antibody administration was repeated every fourth day and tumor volumes were measured. Antibody specificity and tumor infiltration by macrophages were investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Within 35 days after cell inoculation, antibody treatment reduced tumor growth up to 40% in the therapeutic and up to 62% in the tumor prevention experiments compared with the control mice. In tumors of all groups, a similar distribution of the HMW-MAA and no differences in infiltration of macrophages were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions: Here, we showed that antibodies induced by the 225D9.2⁺ mimotope effectively inhibited melanoma tumor growth. Additional mechanisms besides antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity like disruption of interactions of melanoma cells mediated by extracellular matrix components seem to be involved in tumor growth inhibition. Based on our findings, we suggest that active immunization with this mimotope might be a promising strategy for treatment of melanoma.