Therapy of established B16-F10 melanoma tumors by a single vaccination of CTL/T helper peptides in VacciMax^®

• Main Authors: Korets-Smith Ella, Weir Genevieve M, Fuentes-Ortega Antar, Kast W Martin, Pohajdak Bill, Mansour Marc, Brown Robert G, Daftarian Pirouz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-04-01
• Series: Journal of Translational Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/5/1/20

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Melanoma tumors are known to express antigens that usually induce weak immune responses of short duration. Expression of both tumor-associated antigens p53 and TRP2 by melanoma cells raises the possibility of simultaneously targeting more than one antigen in a therapeutic vaccine. In this report, we show that VacciMax^®(VM), a novel liposome-based vaccine delivery platform, can increase the immunogenicity of melanoma associated antigens, resulting in tumor elimination.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>C57BL/6 mice bearing B16-F10 melanoma tumors were vaccinated subcutaneously 6 days post tumor implantation with a mixture of synthetic peptides (modified p53: 232–240, TRP-2: 181–188 and PADRE) and CpG. Tumor growth was monitored and antigen-specific splenocyte responses were assayed by ELISPOT.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Vaccine formulated in VM increased the number of both TRP2- and p53-specific IFN-γ producing splenocytes following a single vaccination. Vaccine formulated without VM resulted only in enhanced IFN-γ producing splenocytes to one CTL epitopes (TRP2:180–188), suggesting that VM overcomes antigen dominance and enhances immunogenicity of multiple epitopes. Vaccination of mice bearing 6-day old B16-F10 tumors with both TRP2 and p53-peptides formulated in VM successfully eradicated tumors in all mice. A control vaccine which contained all ingredients except liposomes resulted in eradication of tumors in no more than 20% of mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A single administration of VM is capable of inducing an effective CTL response to multiple tumor-associated antigens. The responses generated were able to reject 6-day old B16-F10 tumors.</p>