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Use of surrogate antigens as vaccines against cancer
Behjatolah Monzavi-Karbassi1, Gina Cunto-Amesty, Ping Luo
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Tumor cells may evade immune surveillance by possessing polysaccharides or carbohydrates on their surface. This evasive strategy is effective because glycans are poorly immunogenic and fail to elicit immunological memory responses due to an absence of T-cell processing. Induction of an immune response to cell surface carbohydrate antigens is considered as an important strategy to fight cancer. As carbohydrates per se are poor immunogens, alternative approaches are being evaluated to induce functional cross-reactive responses. We are focusing on the use of peptide mimotopes of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens to challenge cancer, as we would manipulate the immune system to establish protective immunity based on carbohydrate cross-reactive humoral and cellular responses.
Insights
Cancer cells evade immune detection using surface carbohydrates. This study explores using peptide mimotopes of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens to stimulate immune responses against cancer, aiming for effective cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
Background:
- Tumor cells utilize surface polysaccharides (glycans) to evade immune surveillance.
- Glycans are poorly immunogenic and do not induce immunological memory due to lack of T-cell processing.
- Developing immune responses against cell surface carbohydrate antigens is a key cancer fighting strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of peptide mimotopes of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens.
- To explore inducing functional, cross-reactive immune responses against cancer.
- To establish protective immunity via carbohydrate cross-reactive humoral and cellular responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing peptide mimotopes that mimic tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens.
- Challenging cancer models with these peptide mimotopes.
- Evaluating the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses.
Main Results:
- Peptide mimotopes can be designed to mimic tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens.
- This approach can potentially elicit immune responses against cancer cells.
- The study focuses on manipulating the immune system for cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- Peptide mimotopes offer a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
- Targeting tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens with mimotopes can overcome poor immunogenicity.
- This approach aims to induce protective immunity for cancer treatment.