Letter | Published:

Induction of antibodies against carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Nature 272, 614–616 (1978) | Download Citation

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Abstract

MANY carcinogens can elicit antibodies when linked to macromolecular carriers1–5. If antibodies against an entire class of carcinogens could be elicited by a non-carcinogenic analogue, and proved capable of neutralising the biological effects of the carcinogens, human immunisation might be of practical value. Mucosal (predominantly IgA) antibodies, capable of facilitating the excretion of an antigen before its absorption into the body, might be particularly useful in this6,7. Here we provide evidence that: an analogue of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) carcinogen dim-ethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), substituted with a fluorine moiety to abrogate carcinogenicity, can induce antibodies which bind a variety of PAH carcinogens; that these antibodies can protect tissue culture cells against one of the prominent in vitro biological effects of such carcinogens—toxicity; and that gastrointestinal mucosal immunisation against PAH carcinogens is feasible, and possibly represents a means of achieving in vivo protection by enhancing carcinogen excretion.

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      Author information

      Affiliations

      1. Boston University School of Medicine, 80 E Concord Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02118

        • FREDERICK L. MOOLTEN
        •  & NEVA J. CAPPARELL

      2. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 02167

        • ELIAHU BOGER
        •  & PATTRARA MAHATHALANG

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      https://doi.org/10.1038/272614a0

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