Therapeutic injection of C-class CpG ODN in draining lymph node area induces potent activation of immune cells and rejection of established breast cancer in mice

In order to develop novel CpG ODNs for the treatment of breast cancer, we have designed a series of CpG ODNs and evaluated their anti-tumor activity in a breast cancer mouse model. Interestingly, a C-class CpG ODN, designated as YW002, showed a vigorous activity on the inhibition of tumor growth in mice and completely cured some of the tumor-bearing mice through injection at tumor draining lymph node (TDLN) area. The expansion of immune cells in the TDLN and tumor and the generation of tumor specific immune memory were found associated with YW002-induced anti-tumor activity in mice. These results indicate that C-class CpG ODN could be developed into a medicament in a monotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of breast cancer through injection at TDLN area in clinic. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.