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Cancer testis antigen subfamilies: Attractive targets for therapeutic vaccine (Review)
Shengnan Ren1, Zhanyi Zhang2, Mengyuan Li3
1Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Nanomedicine and Translational Research Center, China‑Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Cancer‑testis antigen (CTA) is a well‑accepted optimal target library for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Most CTAs are located on the X chromosome and aggregate into large gene families, such as the melanoma antigen, synovial sarcoma X and G antigen families. Members of the CTA subfamily are usually co‑expressed in tumor tissues and share similar structural characteristics and biological functions. As cancer vaccines are recommended to induce specific antitumor responses, CTAs, particularly CTA subfamilies, are widely used in the design of cancer vaccines. To date, DNA, mRNA and peptide vaccines have been commonly used to generate tumor‑specific CTAs in vivo and induce anticancer effects. Despite promising results in preclinical studies, the antitumor efficacy of CTA‑based vaccines is limited in clinical trials, which may be partially attributed to weak immunogenicity, low efficacy of antigen delivery and presentation processes, as well as a suppressive immune microenvironment. Recently, the development of nanomaterials has enhanced the cancer vaccination cascade, improved the antitumor performance and reduced off‑target effects. The present study provided an in‑depth review of the structural characteristics and biofunctions of the CTA subfamilies, summarised the design and utilisation of CTA‑based vaccine platforms and provided recommendations for developing nanomaterial‑derived CTA‑targeted vaccines.
Insights
Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are promising cancer vaccine targets. Nanomaterials show potential to improve CTA vaccine efficacy by enhancing antigen delivery and overcoming immune suppression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are ideal targets for cancer vaccines due to their tumor-specific expression.
- CTAs often form gene families with shared characteristics, making them suitable for subfamily-based vaccine design.
- Current CTA-based vaccines (DNA, mRNA, peptide) face challenges like weak immunogenicity and suppressive tumor microenvironments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural characteristics and biofunctions of CTA subfamilies.
- To summarize the design and application of CTA-based vaccine platforms.
- To provide recommendations for developing advanced CTA-targeted vaccines using nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CTA subfamilies, vaccine platforms, and nanomaterial applications in cancer vaccines.
- Analysis of structural and functional properties of CTA subfamilies.
- Evaluation of current CTA vaccine strategies and their limitations.
Main Results:
- CTA subfamilies exhibit conserved structural and functional traits, supporting their use in vaccine development.
- Various vaccine platforms (DNA, mRNA, peptide) have been explored for CTA-based cancer immunotherapy.
- Nanomaterials offer a promising approach to enhance CTA vaccine delivery, immunogenicity, and antitumor efficacy.
Conclusions:
- CTA subfamilies are valuable targets for cancer immunotherapy.
- Overcoming limitations of current CTA vaccines requires innovative strategies, including nanomaterial-based approaches.
- Future research should focus on developing nanomaterial-derived CTA vaccines to improve clinical outcomes.
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