NCIt synonyms : Cholesterol-Bearing Hydrophobized Pullulan HER2 Protein 146;
NCIt definition : A peptide vaccine, containing nanoparticles of cholesteryl hydrophobized pullulan
(CHP) complexed with the tumor-associated antigen HER-2/neu (ErbB-2), with potential
antineoplastic activity. Her-2/neu, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR) family of tyrosine kinases, is overexpressed in various tumors, including breast,
ovarian, and gastric cancers. Vaccination with CHP-HER-2 peptide vaccine may stimulate
the host immune system to mount a humoral as well as a cytotoxic T-cell response against
tumor cells expressing the HER-2/neu antigen. This results in an inhibition of tumor
cell proliferation and tumor cell death. The self-aggregating CHP, composed of a pullulan
backbone and cholesterol branches, forms stable colloidal nanoparticles in water.;