Translating Tumor Antigens into Cancer Vaccines

Abstract

CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPYCancer immunotherapy may be classified into passive as well as active strategies, with the latter being specific or nonspecific (117). Passive or "adoptive" immunotherapy is based on administration of antitumor antibodies or transfer of tumor-reactive lymphocytes. Active immunotherapy is aimed either at eliciting a specific de novo host immune response against selected tumor antigens (Ags) by employing cancer vaccines or at amplifying the existing antitumor immune response by administering nonspecific proinflammatory molecules or adjuvants. In this context, considering the disappointing results up to now, the quest for specific and selective tumor antigens for developing tumor-specific cancer vaccines, optimal delivery systems (i.e., dendritic cell [DC]-based vaccines), adjuvants, and strategies to overcome immune tolerance and regulatory T (Treg) cell responses is the main goal for several research groups and leading health care companies.

Cancer immunology and canine malignant melanoma: A comparative review

“…By vaccinating mice with human cDNA rather than syngeneic DNA encoding the gp75/tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) differentiation antigen, immune tolerance was broken and led to a protective anti-neoplastic effect (Weber et al, 1998). Although differentiation antigens are shared between normal and tumour tissues, they are recognised as a bona fide target of cancer immunotherapy with the caveat that successful vaccination can cause auto-immunity (Buonaguro et al, 2011;Weber et al, 1998). Tyrosinase (a melanosomal glycoprotein) is a differentiation antigen with expression confirmed in canine melanocytic neoplasms ( Figure. 1) (Brichard et al, 1993;Ramos-Vara and Miller, 2011;Yamaguchi et al, 2007).…”

“…1) and different immunological approaches exist to invoke responses against these (Buonaguro et al, 2011). Most TAAs are self-antigens and whilst priming an immune response against these is difficult, using closely related paralogues can sometimes facilitate this (Guevara-Patiño et al, 2003).…”

Active and passive immunization for cancer

“…This then prevents the subsequent changes to the cell replication cycle induced by the virus that lead to cervical or other ano-genital malignancies. 6,5,4 The use of an aluminum adjuvant with Gardasil and a DC activator adjuvant with Cervarix is key to their effectiveness.…”

1086 IGHV1-69 as a Promising Candidate for the Development of a Shared Immunotherapy to B-cell Lymphomas

“…The induction of this specific immune response may cause the selection and expansion of tumor variants, which lack the target tumor antigen and become resistant to the vaccineinduced immune response. Otherwise, such tumor variants may induce a beneficial effect, broadening the immune response against newly expressed antigens not present in the original vaccine in a process defined as "epitope spreading" [4].The strategy to identify suitable TAAs is relatively easier in hematological disease if compared to solid tumors. Lymphomas originated from B cells, in fact, are characterized by the expression of the immunoglobulin Idiotype (Id), which characterizes the B-cell receptor (BCR) of every single B lymphocyte, and is maintained by the tumor clone during the tumorigenesis process.…”

“…Lymphomas originated from B cells, in fact, are characterized by the expression of the immunoglobulin Idiotype (Id), which characterizes the B-cell receptor (BCR) of every single B lymphocyte, and is maintained by the tumor clone during the tumorigenesis process. For these reasons, sequence analysis for the identification of cancer-related mutations can be focused on the immunoglobulin Id, which can be used for the development of a patientspecific vaccine [4]. …”