DNA vaccines to attack cancer

Authors: Stevenson, F.K., Buchan, S.L. et al.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Volume: 101

Issue: SUPPL. 2

Pages: 14646-14652

ISSN: 0027-8424

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0404896101

Abstract:

Delivery of antigens by injection of the encoding DNA allows access to multiple antigen-presenting pathways. Knowledge of immunological processes can therefore be used to modify construct design to induce selected effector functions. Expression can be directed to specific intracellular sites, and additional genes can be fused or codelivered to amplify responses. Therapeutic vaccination against cancer adds a requirement to overcome tolerance and to activate a weakened immune repertoire. Induction of CD4+ T helper cells is critical for both antibody and T cell effector responses. To activate immunity against tumor antigens, we fused the tumor-derived sequences to genes encoding microbial proteins. This strategy engages T helper cells from the large antimicrobial repertoire for linked help for inducing antibody against cell-surface tumor antigens. The principle of linked T cell help also holds for induction of epitope-specific antitumor CD8+ T cells, but the microbial sequence has to be minimized to avoid competition with tumor antigens. Epitope-specific DNA vaccination leads to powerful antitumor attack and can activate immunity from a profoundly tolerized repertoire. Vaccine designs validated in pre-clinical models are now in clinical trial with immune responses detected against both tumor antigens and fused microbial antigens. DNA priming is highly efficient, but boosting may benefit from increased antigen expression. Physical methods including electroporation provide increased expression without introducing additional competing antigens. A wide range of cancers can be targeted, and objective assays of response will determine efficacy.

Source: Scopus

DNA vaccines to attack cancer.

Authors: Stevenson, F.K., Buchan, S.L. et al.

Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Volume: 101 Suppl 2

Issue: Suppl 2

Pages: 14646-14652

ISSN: 0027-8424

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0404896101

Abstract:

Delivery of antigens by injection of the encoding DNA allows access to multiple antigen-presenting pathways. Knowledge of immunological processes can therefore be used to modify construct design to induce selected effector functions. Expression can be directed to specific intracellular sites, and additional genes can be fused or codelivered to amplify responses. Therapeutic vaccination against cancer adds a requirement to overcome tolerance and to activate a weakened immune repertoire. Induction of CD4(+) T helper cells is critical for both antibody and T cell effector responses. To activate immunity against tumor antigens, we fused the tumor-derived sequences to genes encoding microbial proteins. This strategy engages T helper cells from the large antimicrobial repertoire for linked help for inducing antibody against cell-surface tumor antigens. The principle of linked T cell help also holds for induction of epitope-specific antitumor CD8(+) T cells, but the microbial sequence has to be minimized to avoid competition with tumor antigens. Epitope-specific DNA vaccination leads to powerful antitumor attack and can activate immunity from a profoundly tolerized repertoire. Vaccine designs validated in preclinical models are now in clinical trial with immune responses detected against both tumor antigens and fused microbial antigens. DNA priming is highly efficient, but boosting may benefit from increased antigen expression. Physical methods including electroporation provide increased expression without introducing additional competing antigens. A wide range of cancers can be targeted, and objective assays of response will determine efficacy.

Source: PubMed

DNA vaccines to attack cancer

Authors: Stevenson, F.K., Buchan, S.L. et al.

Journal: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Volume: 101

Pages: 14646-14652

ISSN: 0027-8424

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0404896101

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

DNA vaccines to attack cancer.

Authors: Stevenson, F.K., Buchan, S.L. et al.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Volume: 101 Suppl 2

Pages: 14646-14652

eISSN: 1091-6490

ISSN: 0027-8424

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0404896101

Abstract:

Delivery of antigens by injection of the encoding DNA allows access to multiple antigen-presenting pathways. Knowledge of immunological processes can therefore be used to modify construct design to induce selected effector functions. Expression can be directed to specific intracellular sites, and additional genes can be fused or codelivered to amplify responses. Therapeutic vaccination against cancer adds a requirement to overcome tolerance and to activate a weakened immune repertoire. Induction of CD4(+) T helper cells is critical for both antibody and T cell effector responses. To activate immunity against tumor antigens, we fused the tumor-derived sequences to genes encoding microbial proteins. This strategy engages T helper cells from the large antimicrobial repertoire for linked help for inducing antibody against cell-surface tumor antigens. The principle of linked T cell help also holds for induction of epitope-specific antitumor CD8(+) T cells, but the microbial sequence has to be minimized to avoid competition with tumor antigens. Epitope-specific DNA vaccination leads to powerful antitumor attack and can activate immunity from a profoundly tolerized repertoire. Vaccine designs validated in preclinical models are now in clinical trial with immune responses detected against both tumor antigens and fused microbial antigens. DNA priming is highly efficient, but boosting may benefit from increased antigen expression. Physical methods including electroporation provide increased expression without introducing additional competing antigens. A wide range of cancers can be targeted, and objective assays of response will determine efficacy.

Source: Europe PubMed Central