Carbohydrate vaccines as immunotherapy for cancer Journal Article


Authors: Slovin, S. F.; Keding, S. J.; Ragupathi, G.
Article Title: Carbohydrate vaccines as immunotherapy for cancer
Abstract: Carbohydrates have established themselves as the most clinically relevant antigens of those tested and subsequently developed for vaccines against infectious diseases. However, in cancer patients, many of the defined carbohydrate antigens are really altered 'self' antigens and for unclear reasons, the body does not react to them immunologically. Although these self antigens have been found to be potentially suitable targets for immune recognition and killing, the development of vaccines for cancer treatment is actually more challenging compared with those for infectious diseases mainly because of the difficulty associated with breaking the body's immunological tolerance to the antigen. These antigens lack the inherent immunogenicity associated with bacterial antigens and, therefore, methods to enhance immunological recognition and induction of immunity in vivo are under investigation. These include defining the appropriate tumour-associated antigen, successfully synthesizing the antigen to mimic the original molecule, inducing an immune response, and subsequently enhancing the immunological reactivity so that all components can work together. This has been successfully accomplished with several glycolipid and glycoprotein antigens using carriers such as keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) together with a saponin adjuvant, QS-21. Not only can high titre IgM and IgG antibodies be induced, which are specific for the antigen used for immunization, but the antibodies can mediate complement lysis. The approaches for synthesis, conjugation, clinical administration and immunological potential are discussed. © 2005 Australasian Society for Immunology Inc.
Keywords: nonhuman; neoplasms; animals; cancer immunotherapy; in vivo study; tumor antigen; immunological tolerance; immune response; immunotherapy; cancer vaccine; cancer vaccines; immunogenicity; antigen recognition; immunity; immunoglobulin g antibody; clinical trials; antigens, tumor-associated, carbohydrate; carbohydrate antigen; keyhole limpet hemocyanin; immunoglobulin m antibody; vaccines, conjugate; immunization; qs 21; saponin; carbohydrate vaccine
Journal Title: Immunology and Cell Biology
Volume: 83
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0818-9641
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2005-08-01
Start Page: 418
End Page: 428
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2005.01350.x
PUBMED: 16033538
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 70" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: ICBIE" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Stacy J Keding
    9 Keding
  2. Susan Slovin
    250 Slovin
  3. Govindaswami Ragupathi
    144 Ragupathi