A novel food-grade particle delivery system induces humoral responses to cancer-associated antigens

DITAMO Y; IRAZOQUI FJ

Mendoza

Congreso; SAIB; 2012

Malignant transformation of cells is accompanied by alterations in post-translational modifications of proteins. Glycosylation pattern of mucins such as MUC1 often changes during cancer development resulting in the expression of tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens. Truncated mucin-type O-glycans are well known pan-carcinoma antigens over-expressed in several epithelial cancers. In the development of vaccines for cancer, a major obstacle is the low immunogenicity of the short MUC1 peptide. Strategies to overcome this obstacle are focused on the search of suitable adjuvants able to augment the anti-glycopeptide response. We investigated the capacity of a novel immunostimulatory particle delivery system of safe and food-grade origin, to enhance immune responses against tumour antigens. Previously, this particle system has been shown to enhance immunity to protein antigens when given mucosally to mice. Particles loaded in a non-chemical way with enzymatically glycosylated MUC1 proteins, were tested as vaccine candidates in C57bl6 mice. The formulation elicited high-level antibody responses without any additional adjuvant added and the antibodies induced were able to recognize human breast tumour cells. These results indicate that a non-living particle system displaying tumour antigens is a proficient stimulator of immune cells and hold promise for active anticancer immunotherapy