DNA-based vaccination against tumors expressing the P1A antigen

Based on experience acquired in the last few years, we describe some techni cal steps and provide suggestions on how to induce an immune response again st tumors expressing the weakly immunogenic antigen P1A by means of a DNA-b ased vaccination approach. P1A is the product of a normal mouse gene, which shares many characteristics with already identified human tumor-associated antigens, and therefore represents a useful experimental model to evaluate the efficacy of new vaccination strategies potentially applicable to the f ield of human tumors. Information gained with this model has been applied w ith success in other experimental settings, and thus we think that the proc edure described herein may constitute a valid platform that can be implemen ted and further refined. (C) 1999 Academic Press.