Anti-tumor efficacy of the Runx2-dendritic cell vaccine in triple-negative breast cancer in vitro.
ABSTRACT
Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis and limited effective treatment. The rise in immunotherapeutic strategies prompted us to establish a genetic vaccine against TNBC in vitro using a possible biological marker of TNBC.
Methods: Different detection methods were used to evaluate the distribution and expression of Runx2 in various breast cancer cells. After the Runx2-DC vaccine was developed using a lentivirus, transfection efficacy was recorded. The T lymphocytes co-cultured with the vaccine were collected to assess the anti-tumor potency.
Results: Increased levels of Runx2 were expressed in breast cancer cells. However, different breast cancer cells expressed various levels of Runx2. Runx2 showed particularly high expression in TNBC cells compared with non-TNBC cells. A Runx2- lentivirus transfection system was successfully engineered, and Runx2 was transduced into dendritic cells while maintaining stable expression. The sustained and stable cytotoxic T cells induced in the transfected group had higher and more specific anti-tumor efficacy against TNBC than other cell lines.
Conclusions: Runx2 may be a new target for TNBC treatment. The Runx2-DC vaccine can induce specific and efficient anti-tumor effects in TNBC in vitro.