Immunological approaches against human chorionic gonadotropin for control of fertility and therapy of advanced-stage cancers expressing hCG/subunits

Abstract

The year 2001 marks the 84th year of the discovery of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by Ascheim; Zondek. Originally considered; employed as a reliable diagnostic index for pregnancy; the multiple roles of hCG as an initiator; sustainer of pregnancy are now recognized. Besides pregnancy; the expression of hCG or its subunits is observed in a number of cancers of diverse type; in particular at advanced stage. Cancers expressing hCG/subunits have poor prognosis; adverse survival. Thus; immunological approaches against hCG have applications for control of fertility; for treatment of terminal cancers. Various mechanisms by which hCG exercises its action are discussed. These include its role as autocrine growth promoter; inhibitor of apoptosis; promotor of angiogenesis; invasiveness; protection against rejection by the immune system. The article reviews various vaccines developed for control of fertility; for therapy of advanced-stage cancers expressing ectopically hCG/subunits. Also reviewed are the recombinant fully humanized; chimeric antibodies usable for emergency contraception; as vacation contraceptive; as therapeutic antibodies for treatment of cancers.