Poxvirus-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapy: new insights from combined cytokines/co-stimulatory molecules delivery and "uncommon" strains.
Poxvirus-based vaccines have a long record of efficacy as both anti-tumour agents and vectors for gene therapy in different human tumour models. Interestingly, several studies of these vaccines have now entered the clinical evaluation phase for safety and effectiveness. A desirable outcome of antigen specific cancer immunotherapy is the disruption of host self-tolerance against endogenous tumour-associated antigens (TAAs). Nonetheless, recent studies have found reductions in vaccine efficacy due to host anti-vaccine immune reactions. Thus, newer approaches bringing together poxvirus-based vaccination and immunostimulation are being developed, and new poxvirus strains are being examined in tumour therapy studies. Our review summarizes the current knowledge on the efficacy of poxvirus-based vaccination on human tumours, with a particular focus on approaches aimed at increasing innate and specific immune responses. Special attention will be devoted to the new poxvirus strains that are currently under consideration for tumour therapy; the current knowledge on clinical trials and outcomes will also be reviewed.
Valerio
V
Izzi
Marcin
M
Buler
Laura
L
Masuelli
Maria G
MG
Giganti
Andrea
A
Modesti
Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Building F Sud, 2nd floor, Room 222. bei@med.uniroma2.it.
Roberto
R
Bei
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018150:Avipoxvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007114:Immunization; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated