title: Poly(I:C) as cancer vaccine adjuvant: knocking on the door of medical breakthroughs.
abstract: Although cancer vaccination has yielded promising results in patients, the objective response rates are low. The right choice of adjuvant might improve the efficacy. Here, we review the biological rationale, as well as the preclinical and clinical results of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and its derivative poly-ICLC as cancer vaccine adjuvants. These synthetic immunological danger signals enhanced vaccine-induced anti-tumor immune responses and contributed to tumor elimination in animal tumor models and patients. Supported by these results, poly-ICLC-containing cancer vaccines are currently extensively studied in the ongoing trials, making it highly plausible that poly-ICLC will be part of the future approved cancer immunotherapies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ammi
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jorrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Waele
authors.affiliation: Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Willemen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Brussel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dorien M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Schrijvers
authors.affiliation: Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium; Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lion
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium; Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium. Electronic address: evelien.smits@uza.be.
authors.forename: Evelien L J
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Smits
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011107:Polylysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D011107:Polylysine; C019531:poly ICLC; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D011070:Poly I-C
keywords: Adjuvant; Anti-tumor immunity; Cancer vaccine; Poly(I:C); Poly-ICLC; TLR