Definition

A plasmid DNA therapeutic cancer vaccine encoding the intracellular domain (ICD) of the HER-2/neu proto-oncogene, with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the pNGVL3-hICD vaccine AST-301 expresses the HER-2/neu protein and elicits a HER-2-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) immune response against tumor cells expressing HER-2. The HER-2/neu ICD protein is highly immunogenic and, as a subdominant epitope, may be associated with decreased immune tolerance.