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Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy

Francesca Ruzzi1, Maria Sofia Semprini1, Laura Scalambra1

  • 1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines show promise for preventing and treating cancers. This review covers approved VLP vaccines and emerging data on VLP-based cancer vaccines, including those targeting HER-2-positive breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Cancer vaccines are a growing area of research for cancer prevention and treatment.
  • While prophylactic vaccines for virus-associated cancers are established, therapeutic cancer vaccine development requires further advancement.
  • Virus-like particles (VLPs) are potent vaccine platforms that mimic viral structures to elicit strong immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review approved preventive VLP-based vaccines for HBV and HPV infections.
  • To summarize data on VLP-based vaccines for preventing virus-caused cancers.
  • To present preclinical and early clinical findings on VLP-based prophylactic and therapeutic cancer vaccines, with emphasis on HER-2-positive breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of approved VLP vaccines.
  • Analysis of preclinical and early clinical trial data for VLP-based cancer vaccines.
  • Focus on VLP platform technology for antigen display and immune stimulation.

Main Results:

  • Several VLP-based vaccines are approved for preventing HBV and HPV infections.
  • VLP platforms effectively display antigens, inducing robust cellular and humoral immunity.
  • Emerging data suggests potential for VLP-based vaccines in both prophylactic and therapeutic cancer settings, including HER-2-positive breast cancer.

Conclusions:

  • VLP technology offers a versatile platform for developing effective cancer vaccines.
  • Further research and clinical trials are warranted to optimize VLP-based cancer vaccines for therapeutic applications.
  • VLP vaccines hold significant potential for improving cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Keywords:
cancer immunopreventioncancer immunotherapycancer vaccinestumor antigensvirus-like particles (VLPs)

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