Co-Administration of Anti-Angiogenic Peptide and DNA Vaccine in Cervical Cancer Tumor Model

Background Cervical cancer is one of the main causes of women’s death in the world. Human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 have been known as a cause of more than 2/3 of cervical cancers. New combination treatment strategies based on immune responses against viral antigens are likely to be beneficial. Considering the important role of angiogenesis in nutrition and oxygenation of tumor cells, the inhibition of this process can help tumor clearance. Objectives In this study, co-administration of a plasmid encoding immune stimulatory epitopes of E6-E7-L1 genes of HPV with an anti-angiogenic peptide derived from Endostatin in tumor mice model was examined. Methods C57BL/6 mice were injected subcutaneously with TC-1 tumor cells and monitored for tumor progression. At exact time points, tumor size was determined. Then they were injected by pIRES-E6/E7/L1 as DNA vaccine, and anti angiogenic peptide. Relative tumor volume measurements and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was carried out in order to investigate therapeutic antitumor effects of vaccine and peptide. Results Based on the results, the group of mice that received vaccine and vaccine-peptide had significant inhibition rate of tumor growth in comparison with control groups (P < 0.05). Lymphocyte proliferation responses against the vaccine in the related groups were significantly higher than negative control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions In general, it could be concluded that the co-administration of DNA vaccine due to the good immunogenicity and suitable inhibitory effect of peptide in reduction of tumor size, shows higher efficacy and can be considered as a new therapeutic strategy.