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Vaccinating against GD3 ganglioside using BEC2 anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody
1Clinical Immunology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. chapmanp@mskcc.org
GD3, a ganglioside expressed on tumors of neuroectodermal origin such as melanoma and small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), is an attractive vaccine target but is poorly immunogenic. Our group has pursued several strategies designed to immunize patients against GD3 including using BEC2, an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody that mimics GD3. Pilot trials in melanoma and SCLC indicate that BEC2 can induce an anti-GD3 antibody response in a subset of patients and also suggests that immunization with BEC2 is associated with improved survival. A phase III trial is underway in SCLC patients to determine the effects of BEC2 on overall survival.
GD3, a ganglioside expressed on tumors of neuroectodermal origin such as melanoma and small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), is an attractive vaccine target but is poorly immunogenic. Our group has pursued several strategies designed to immunize patients against GD3 including using BEC2, an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody that mimics GD3. Pilot trials in melanoma and SCLC indicate that BEC2 can induce an anti-GD3 antibody response in a subset of patients and also suggests that immunization with BEC2 is associated with improved survival. A phase III trial is underway in SCLC patients to determine the effects of BEC2 on overall survival.