Project 3
David Sherr, PhD |
A NOVEL STRATEGY FOR AL AMYLOIDOSIS IMMUNOTHERAPY
Project Leader: David Sherr, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Health, BUSPH, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BUSM
Chemotherapy for AL amyloidosis has had limited success and exacts a significant toll in morbidity. Therefore, there is a critical need for alternative and less toxic therapies. We propose that peptides derived from plasma cell-associated proteins would induce CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in models of AL amyloid immunotherapy. Several candidate vaccine targets have been identified (Iglambda6, BLIMP-1, CYP1B1). Furthermore, principles which suggest a considerable expansion in the number of potential vaccine candidates were defined. We are continuing to test the validity of these targets in animal models, and are examining novel strategies to break tolerance to these self-peptides. Once these have been validated in animal models, we will move these approaches into the clinic.
|
