Research Summary

The work in the Lubaroff concentrates on the area of tumor immunology with an emphasis on immunotherapy. We have constructed microbial vaccines to be used for the investigation of gene and immunotherapy of prostate cancer. Investigations on the ability of immunized animals to produce immune responses to the transgene product induced by the vaccine are underway. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments are being carried out, the latter studies involve the destruction of tumors following immunization of animals with the prostate cancer vaccine. The mechanisms of tumor rejection induced by the vaccines are being studied using methodologies to deplete specific cell populations, and by the use of transgenic mice. We are also investigating the ability of unmethylated CpG oligodinucleotides to augment the anti-tumor immune responses. Additionally, we are carrying our "translational" research in the form of clinical trials of our adenovirus vaccine in men with prostate cancer. Important in these trials is the safety of the vaccine and its ability to induce anti-tumor immunity. We have recently completed a Phase I clinical trial of the vaccine that demonstrated its safety. We have evaluated the immunity induced by the vaccine using measures of antibodies, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and number of antigen-specific T cells using both intracellular cytokine staining and ELISPOT analysis. A therapeutic Phase II trial will begin shortly. Finally, we have been collaborating on studies of psychosocial effects on immune status in cancer patients.