April 16, 2007
AACR On Site Contact: Catherine Donnelly
 

BUFFALO, NY – DNA methylation inhibitors may enhance the efficacy of an ovarian cancer vaccine targeting NY-ESO-1, according to a study to be presented by Anna Woloszynska-Read, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), at the 2007 centennial meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), April 14-18, in Los Angeles, CA.

“Epigenetic Regulation of NY-ESO-1 in Ovarian Cancer”

Embargoed until Monday, April 16, 1 pm PST

Exhibit Hall,  Poster Section – 13; Poster Board – 18

Los Angeles Convention Center

NY-ESO-1 is a protein expressed in more than 40% of ovarian cancers and is under investigation as an ovarian cancer vaccine target. However, NY-ESO-1 expression is often limited or lost in ovarian tumors, an occurrence which may limit the vaccine’s efficacy.

This research examined novel ways to specifically induce the expression of NY-ESO-1 gene in ovarian cancer cells. Researchers treated ovarian cancer cells in vitro with the DNA methylation inhibitor, decitabine. DNA methylation is a specific chemical modification of DNA, and its presence or absence at certain sites of the genetic sequence may alternately induce or inhibit gene expression. Molecular analysis showed that NY-ESO-1 negative cell lines had decreased methylation and the protein production was induced. Moreover, analysis of ovarian tumor samples through microdissections indicated a strong correlation between NY-ESO-1 expression and reduced DNA methylation.

These findings provide evidence that DNA methylation regulates NY-ESO-1 expression in ovarian cancer cells and point to the use of DNA methylation inhibitors in combination with an NY-ESO-1 vaccine as a potential treatment for ovarian cancer. A clinical trial testing this approach will be conducted later this year at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. Members include more than 24,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers, health care professionals, and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 60 other countries.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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