title: Biomaterial-based vaccine induces regression of established intracranial glioma in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prognosis for glioma patients is poor, and development of new treatments is critical. Previously, we engineered polymer-based vaccines that control GM-CSF, CpG-oligonucleotide, and tumor-lysate presentation to regulate immune cell trafficking and activation, which promoted potent immune responses against peripheral tumors. Here, we extend the use of this system to glioma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were challenged with an intracranial injection of glioma cells followed (1 week) by administration of the polymeric vaccine (containing GM-CSF, CpG, and tumor-lysate) in the tumor bed. Control rats were treated with blank matrices, matrices with GM-CSF and CpG, or intra-tumoral bolus injections of GM-CSF, CpG, and tumor lysate. Rats were monitored for survival and tested for neurological function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survival studies confirmed a benefit of the polymeric vaccine as 90% of vaccinated rats survived for > 100 days. Control rats exhibited minimal benefit. Motor tests revealed that vaccination protected against the loss of forelimb use produced by glioma growth. Histological analysis quantitatively confirmed a robust and rapid reduction in tumor size. Long-term immunity was confirmed when 67% of survivors also survived a second glioma challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These studies extend previous reports regarding this approach to tumor therapy and justify further development for glioma treatment.
authors.affiliation: InCytu, Inc., 701 George Washington Highway, Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865, USA.
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Tracie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fradet
authors.forename: Jebecka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hudak
authors.forename: Marie-Therese
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Laliberte
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Dwaine F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Emerich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005910:Glioma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor