Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40432134›Full record

ArticleVaccines2025

Identification and Validation of Th1-Selective Epitopes Derived from Proteins Overexpressed in Breast Cancer Stem Cells.

Denise L Cecil, Daniel Herendeen, Meredith Slota, Megan M O'Meara, Yushe Dang, Lauren Corulli, Mary L Disis

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Vaccines, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Breast cancer stem cell activity driven byWorld journal of stem cells · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Denise L CecilCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Daniel HerendeenCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Meredith SlotaCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8492-6705
Megan M O'MearaCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Yushe DangCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7661-0855
Lauren CorulliCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Mary L DisisCancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7653-4648

Funding

United States Department of Defense BC100403
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreast cancer stem cells (CSCs), particularly those enriched in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), are key contributors to tumor recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. CSCs often undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), enhancing their invasiveness. Immune-based strategies that selectively target CSC/EMT antigens offer a promising therapeutic approach.

methodsTwelve candidate CSC/EMT-associated proteins were identified through a systematic literature review. Human serum samples were assessed for antigen-specific IgG using ELISA. Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, in response to predicted MHC II epitopes, were measured by ELISPOT in PBMCs. Epitope immunogenicity and tumor inhibition were evaluated in murine models, using either TNBC or luminal B syngeneic breast cancer cell lines.

resultsSix of the candidate proteins (SOX2, YB1, FOXQ1, MDM2, CDH3, CD105) elicited antigen-specific IgG in human serum. Th1-selective epitopes, defined by high Th1/Th2 ratios, were identified for five of these proteins. Immunization of mice with peptide pools derived from CD105, CDH3, MDM2, SOX2, and YB1 induced significant antigen-specific IFN-γ responses. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited in the vaccinated mice across both the TNBC and luminal B breast cancer models, with mean tumor volume reductions ranging from 61% to 70%.

conclusionsCSC/EMT-associated antigens are immunogenic in humans and can be targeted using Th1-selective epitope-based vaccines. Immunization with these epitopes effectively inhibits tumor growth in multiple murine models of breast cancer. These findings support further clinical evaluation of CSC/EMT-targeted vaccines, especially for high-risk or advanced-stage breast cancer patients.

Indexed as

cancer stem cellsepithelial-to-mesenchymal transformationepitopesT-helper 1vaccine

Identifiers

PMID40432134
PMCPMC12115844

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.