FIG. 7.

In vivo tumor prevention and elimination assays. (A) Tumor prevention assay. Groups of 10 mice were immunized with 100 μg of E5 25-33 (VCLLIRPLL) plus 0.2 μmol of CpG ODN 1826 (bioactive), ODN 1982 (nonbioactive), CFA or PBS without any peptide (Mock), or rAdE5 (positive control). The mixtures were intramuscularly injected into C57BL/6 mice, and 1 week later, these vaccinated mice were boosted with the same regimens. One week after the first immunization, 5 × 10⁴ tumor cells were injected s.c. into the left flank of C57BL/6 mice; booster vaccinations were given simultaneously, and then mice were monitored once a week for tumor growth. The data represent the means and standard errors of each group. (B) Tumor elimination assay. Groups of 10 mice were injected s.c. with 5 × 10⁴ tumor cells into the left flank. After 1 week, the mice were immunized and boosted with 100 μg of E5 25-33 peptide alone plus CpG ODN 1826 (bioactive), ODN 1982 (nonbioactive), CFA or PBS (Mock), or rAdE5 (positive control) alone at 1-week intervals as described above. Mice were then monitored once a week for tumor growth. The data represent the means and standard errors of each group.