Potential of Her1, Her2, and Her3 receptors as antigens for the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines
Keywords:
cancer; immunotherapy; epidermal growth factor receptors; vaccineAbstract
Introduction: Her1, Her2, and Her3 receptors constitute valuable therapeutic targets in oncology due to their overexpression in multiple carcinomas and their central role in cell proliferation and survival. Although they are targets for monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, these therapies have limitations such as resistance and transient immunity.
Objective: To analyze the potential of Her1, Her2, and Her3 as antigens for the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Scielo. A total of 71 references were selected and analyzed to achieve the stated objective.
Development: Therapeutic vaccines represent an active immunotherapy strategy aimed at generating a polyclonal, durable immune response directed against multiple epitopes. To overcome immune tolerance towards these self-antigens, formulations using adjuvants, particularly liposomes, are highlighted. The review describes preclinical and clinical advances of vaccines based on Her1, Her2, and, more recently, Her3, demonstrating their ability to induce polyclonal antibodies that block signaling pathways and reduce tumor viability.
Conclusions: Her1, Her2, and Her3 receptors are established as promising tumor antigens for vaccine development. Their formulation in adjuvanted liposomal systems represents a strategic alternative for generating polyclonal, multi-epitope, and memory immune responses, with the potential to overcome some limitations of current targeted therapies and offer a synergistic antitumor effect in Her-positive carcinomas.
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