A novel DNA vaccine encoding PDGFRβ 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 angiogenesis in vivo and reduces the numbers of tumor-associated, mPDGFRβ-expressing pericytes as suggested by a decrease in intra-tumoral expression of mPDGFRβ and NG2.